The Philadelphia Flyers are no strangers to overtime hockey, seemingly finding themselves in extended play every other game. With back-to-back shootouts in Anaheim and Los Angeles, they've hit 25 overtime games in 68 contests-four straight, with three shootouts.
This isn't a sign of a struggling team; after all, the Minnesota Wild lead the league with 26 overtime games. However, it does make climbing the standings tougher, especially when conference rivals snag that extra point.
Despite ranking 15th in standings points, the Flyers lag in regulation wins. Has any team succeeded with this pattern?
Chasing History
The Flyers are closing in on a notable record. The 2003-04 Boston Bruins hold the mark for most overtime games in a season with 30.
Back then, shootouts weren't a factor, but the Flyers are on pace to break this. Coached by Mike Sullivan, those Bruins won their division but fell to Montreal in a dramatic first-round series after leading 3-1.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Coyotes that same season played 29 overtimes, struggling to convert those into wins, finishing at the bottom of their division.
In the shootout era, the 2016-17 Detroit Red Wings hold the record with 29 overtime games. Despite missing the playoffs, they were undefeated in shootouts, winning all nine. This scenario mirrors the current Flyers, who boast a 10-1 shootout record but remain outside the playoff picture.
The Flyers are on the brink of matching their franchise record of 26 overtime games, set by the 2014-15 team. With 14 games left, reaching 30 seems likely.
Only the 2015-16 Flyers made the playoffs after such a marathon season, losing to Washington in the first round. The race to 30 is on.
Shootout Success: A Game Changer?
Historically, the Flyers have struggled in shootouts. Consider the 2013-14 Capitals, who played 21 shootouts but missed the playoffs despite Alex Ovechkin's goal-scoring prowess.
Yet, with Trevor Zegras leading the charge, Philadelphia is capitalizing on these opportunities. Zegras, with a career shootout success rate over 60%, has been clutch, going 7-for-12 this season.
His five game-deciding goals have propelled the Flyers to an NHL-high nine shootout victories. Matvei Michkov also shines with a 36.8% success rate.
With 13 shootouts already, they're leading the league, and those points are crucial.
Interestingly, the Pittsburgh Penguins, despite a 1-10 shootout record, are competing for a top seed in the Metropolitan Division. They lead the Eastern Conference in overtime loss points, tied with the Los Angeles Kings.
History shows that great teams can thrive despite numerous shootouts. The 2011-12 Devils reached the Cup Final with a 12-4 shootout record, while the President’s Trophy-winning Canucks played 15 shootouts but exited early in the playoffs.
Ultimately, being proficient in shootouts is a luxury that can steal valuable points, but it doesn't necessarily correlate with playoff success. For the Flyers, every point counts as they push towards a postseason berth.