Just a shocking, incredibly disappointing – or should they read … disappearing _ performance from the Flyers in Boston today.
I know the Bruins were 3-0 in matinee games, but the Flyers rolled over after the opening period.
So, no points against the Rangers, Penguins or Bruins. Shut out!
“It seemed like we packed it in,” Scott Hartnell told me when quizzed on the lack of response as the Flyers fell 3 games below .500, while losing their third straight to a top Eastern Conference opponent ahead of them in the standings.
“If one thing goes wrong out, whether it a be bad call or the first goal on that power play where he made a great play, you look down the bench and everyone’s heads are down.”
You could literally see and feel the life sucked out of them after David Paille’s goal made it 3-0 in the first period.
A couple years ago when the Flyers launched their historic 3-0 games comeback in the playoffs against Boston we talked about how Peter Laviolette’s club had “no quit” in them.
Well, this club seems to have “no comeback” in them. When they wilt, they fade away quickly.
Lots of mistakes and lately – couple weeks now _ Ilya Bryzgalov has been unable to save them in goal. Or even himself. He’s not been anywhere as good as he was going into early February.
Meanwhile, the Flyers have lost 3 games to three opponents they had to collect points off – Rangers, Penguins and Bruins.
“We’ve come back numerous times,” Hartnell said. “It’s just the way the guys responded from that first goal was a little disheartening.
“Me, right on through to G [Claude Giroux], right through Bryz [Ilya Bryzgalov], everybody. It was frustrating to see and it’s got to change. You’re going to have some bad breaks, you’re going to have some bad bounces. It’s going to happen.”
We all thought the Flyers were a bubble team that had turned the corner at the end of February would have their usual “third month” surge. Well, March has been a disaster – one win in four games.
You gotta figure there is going to be some kind of shakeup via a trade. I don’t think Peter Laviolette is going to get fired – he has 2 years left on his current contract, too.
But … if club owner Ed Snider blows a gasket, all bets are off.
To me, a coaching change doesn’t guarantee any kind of stirring turnaround or even a playoff berth.
In many ways, this looks like 2009-10 all over again and all know how that ended.
Not saying the Flyers will go to the Stanley Cup Final, but the playoffs are still within reach.
Only if the collective attitude changes.
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