PHILADELPHIA – Four straight losses and a widening gap in the standings have left the Flyers wondering what’s left of their season.
There are only 17 games still to play. Two proven scorers (Scott Laughton, Andrei Kuzmenko) were traded away on Friday. A quartet of defeats to start a seven-game homestand. The players have to be scratching their heads and maybe dusting off their golf clubs.
Then again, these guys are professional hockey players and supposed to be giving their all, even if they know the odds of making the postseason are getting longer by the game.
“You would love to have one win here at home,” said Jamie Drysdale, who scored the only goal in Sunday’s 3-1 loss to New Jersey. “Especially in front of these fans. They’re passionate and they care so much, night-in, night-out. We’ll work strong to come back and get a win.”
If the Flyers don’t make the postseason, the five seasons of not appearing in the playoffs will tie a dubious franchise record (1990-94).
“Yeah, if you want to make the playoffs, the hill gets steeper every time you let one go,” Drysdale said. “There’s still a fightin’ chance, so we have to know that. We have to know that and commit to that.”
Ryan Poehling suggested the Flyers have to believe they still have a chance. It starts with a mental belief.
“I think that’s the biggest thing in this league,” he said. “I mean, there are 82 games in this league. Sometimes you’re flying high and sometimes it’s how it is right now. You just have to find a way to be consistent I think in your game. That’s why coach (Tortorella) brought up just doing the easy things right.”
Falling under .500 at home is not a recipe for success. It’s disappointing for fans because this season began with somewhat high hopes.
“It’s just playing the right way,” Poehling said. “I think that’s what keeps you consistent.”
No doubt this current slump is weighing on the players’ minds.
“It sucks,” Poehling said. “There’s no hiding about that. But I don’t think there’s time to feel sorry for yourself. It’s definitely a gut check. That’s kind of what it comes down to.”
Sean Couturier has been in the NHL since 2011 and has experienced all the highs and lows. He suggested it isn’t time to give up quite yet, even if the odds are stacked against the Flyers.
“Last year we were in the playoffs (for 124 days before a late season slump),” Couturier said. “This year we’re out of the picture. We’re losing (again). But it’s different, I guess. Last year we lost eight, nine in a row at the end. Right now we’ve lost four and we can’t find a way to win. Last year we were in control, this year we’re chasin’.
“It’s almost more pressure on us to get it going. You just have to keep fighting, believing in ourselves. Just find a way to get one win and then get goin’.”
