How bad is it for Flyers?
OTTAWA -- So, just how bad is it for the Flyers?
How bad is it for Flyers?
OTTAWA -- So, just how bad is it for the Flyers?
Exactly one week ago, after their all-important victory over Pittsburgh at the Consol Energy Center, the Flyers were in the driver’s seat and appeared destined to clinch the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
They moved to three points up on second place Washington. They were a full four points ahead of Pittsburgh in the Atlantic divsion. And with just five games to play, they had one game in-hand on each team.
Their magic number to close out Washington was just 7 points. For Pittsburgh, it was down to 3 points.
Since then, the Flyers passed on two opportunities to eliminate both New Jersey and Atlanta from playoff contention - allowing other teams to do the dirty work for them - and also two chances to clinch their first Atlantic division title since 2004.
Guess what?
The Flyers have lost 13 of their last 19 games. The magic number in the Atlantic division is still at 3 points.
And the Flyers’ probability to win the Eastern Conference has plummeted from 88 percent last Wednesday to just 12 percent today.
They now have a 47 percent chance to pick up the second seed. More alarmingly, they now have a 28 percent chance to lose the Atlantic and finish in fourth place, since the NHL seeds division leaders, which would setup a date with Tampa Bay in the first round.
Washington’s magic number to close out the Flyers is now down to 3 points, which means the Flyers would likely need to win both of their remaining games against Buffalo and the Islanders to have a shot at the No. 1 seed.
All of which is the long way of saying that the Flyers are in the middle of an epic collapse. The fear of every Flyers fan for the past month has been validated. They need to stop praying for the playoffs to get here. It could be a quicker exit than they’ve been banking on.
For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @DNFlyers
Get exclusive videos and analysis in our new app for iPhone and Android. Download it here.
This is what happens when 92% of your roster is locked into longterm contracts. This is what happens when you mess with a winning chemistry at the trade deadline just to make a trade. This is what happens when your coach loses the lockeroom to a bunch of spoiled rich athletes. This is what happens when you have a bunch of injuries you are hiding. This is what happens when you have players coasting into the playoffs and playing not to get hurt before they even start. This is what happens when there is dissention in the lockeroom. This is what happens when you have a cancer or two on your team. This is what happens when you don't have respected leadership. Take your pick.— Mark1npt- love it, flyers fans jumping ship like the rats they are. keep drinking old man snider's kool-aid— DennyP
- I'm more concerned about the level of play than I am about the seeding. Contrary to how I felt earlier in the year, I'd almost rather face an also struggling Tampa team right now than a surging 7 or 8 seeded NYR or Buffalo. I don't know. It's all moot if they don't start playing better. Will Pronger, Briere & Betts help? Hope so.— toph314
- Wow, Mark1npt, thanks for that unique look into the Flyers locker room. Most fans don't get to see what goes on in there. How'd you get access? — stefek23
- You knew there was trouble in the lockerroom when Big Mouth Pronger publicly criticized Giroux. Homer threw away the future when he gave away top picks and Sbisa for the over-the-hill Prongs. We were promised a nasty presence in front of the net. The only nastiness we get is when Timmy P interviews him. I thought this was supposed to be the greatest group of defencemen me in Flyer history? I'd take Frank Bathe over most of these pansies.— schnitzelboy
- CLUELESS... — broadstbu11y
- Gee, hope you're all able to jump back on when the playoffs start. It's a whole different season. Let's Go Flyers!— pam611
- Where's their heart & soul guy Laperrier?— dri_as_a_bone
- An epic collapse is reserved for the Mets blowing an 8 game lead with a month left, only to miss the post-season. BUT I'm skeptical about this team's playoff chances. I'm really hoping Leighton makes it thru waivers. No one wins the SC without good to great goaltending.— pauliestune
- Homer will not get the chance to fire Lavy. I'm sure pouting Richards will take care of it. Richards is the problem.
- Am I a Flyers Fan? Is the team playing "Flyers" hockey?
I AM.....THEY'RE NOT! :(— RonnieBatt - erbower said "Barberesque mutiny". Hahaha, that's classic and sure feels possible.— prominal88
- this team has zero heart and they should be embarrassed. disgraceful— Old German
