The Flyers didn’t wait for Saturday night’s matchup with the struggling Rangers to start soul-searching. Their recent 0-4-1 slide has raised some red flags, and with a tough three-game Western road trip looming - stops in Las Vegas, Utah, and Colorado - the urgency to course-correct is real.
So, what’s gone wrong, and more importantly, what can be done about it? Here’s a breakdown of five key areas the Flyers need to tighten up if they want to get back on track and stay in the playoff mix.
1. Power Play Woes: Too Much Talent, Too Little Production
For a team that could realistically finish with eight or nine 20-goal scorers, the Flyers’ power play has been bafflingly ineffective. Early in the season, things looked decent - not elite, but respectable. Then the cracks started to show.
Tyson Foerster’s season-ending injury hurt, and teams have started to key in on Trevor Zegras, who leads the squad with seven power-play goals. The rest of the roster? Just 13 combined.
There’s no magic switch, but a few adjustments could go a long way. For starters, Travis Konecny and Matvei Michkov need to be more involved. These two tied for the team lead with nine power-play goals last season - they’ve got just one apiece so far this year.
And then there’s the net-front presence. Guys like Owen Tippett need to plant themselves in the goalie’s line of sight and make life miserable down low.
Think Tim Kerr, Paul Holmgren, or John LeClair - players who thrived in the dirty areas. The Flyers need more of that grit to unlock their man-advantage potential.
2. Penalty Kill: From Elite to Exposed
There was a stretch earlier this season when the Flyers’ penalty kill was among the league’s best. Lately, though, it’s been a different story.
Thursday night in Pittsburgh was a prime example - three power-play goals against in a 6-3 loss. That’s a game-changer, plain and simple.
Part of the problem? Discipline.
The Flyers are taking too many avoidable penalties, and Michkov has been one of the biggest culprits. He’s leading the team in penalty minutes, often from lazy stick infractions after trailing the play.
Fixing the PK starts with smarter decisions, but also more aggressive puck pursuit. Disrupting entries at the blue line and applying pressure in the neutral zone can prevent teams from setting up.
And once they do get in? Big bodies like Rasmus Ristolainen need to own the crease, clear the traffic, and give their goalies clean looks.
3. Backup Goaltending: A Question Mark That Needs an Answer
Dan Vladar has been a pleasant surprise in net this season, stepping up when needed. But when he’s not between the pipes, things get dicey.
Sam Ersson has struggled in the backup role. He’s below .500, and his save percentage ranks near the bottom of the league. That’s not going to cut it, especially with a team still fighting for consistency.
With Vladar recently sidelined, Aleksei Kolosov got the call-up and looked serviceable in relief against Buffalo. Now the question becomes: Can he be more than just a placeholder?
Head coach Rick Tocchet has a decision to make, and it’s not an easy one. But if the Flyers are going to stay competitive, they’ll need more stability in the crease - no matter who’s backing up.
4. Playing From Behind: A Habit That’s Getting Hard to Break
Here’s a stat that jumps off the page: the Flyers have surrendered the first goal in 32 games this season - tied with Nashville for the most in the league.
Sure, they’ve managed to win 14 of those games, which is impressive in its own right. But it’s not a sustainable formula. Constantly chasing the game wears a team down, both mentally and physically.
The solution? Come out with urgency.
Set the tone. Get on the board first.
The Flyers of the Broad Street Bullies era used to have opponents down 2-0 before fans even found their seats. That kind of fast start energy is missing right now.
5. Star Power: Time to Find a Closer
Balanced scoring is great - and the Flyers have it. But when the game tightens up in the third period or overtime, you need a go-to guy. Someone who can take over, create a chance out of nothing, and bury it.
Trevor Zegras has been a bright spot with 18 goals, but that ranks just 40th in the league. And of the top 20 scorers in the NHL, only two aren’t playing for playoff-bound teams. That tells you something: elite scorers move the needle.
General manager Daniel Briere has to weigh the risk-reward of making a big move. It might cost a few promising prospects, but bringing in a legitimate 50-goal threat could be the difference between a playoff cameo and a real postseason run.
The Big Picture
The Flyers have taken real steps forward this season under Rick Tocchet. The progress is undeniable, and the team looks far more competitive than most expected back in October.
But progress doesn’t mean perfection. There’s still work to be done - and with a brutal stretch of games on the horizon, the margin for error is shrinking.
If the Flyers can clean up these five areas - the special teams, the backup goaltending, the starts, and maybe even make a splash on the trade market - they’ll be in a much better position to not just make the playoffs, but make some noise once they get there.
For now, it’s about tightening the screws and finding ways to win again. The opportunity is still there - but it won’t wait forever.