After a 10-game losing streak, the Philadelphia Flyers’ lowliness grew even more humiliating on Saturday.
The Flyers’ shocking 6-3 loss to the Sabres at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, was an unforgivable display.
In their 11th straight defeat, the Flyers were beaten (0-8-3). From Nov. 18 to Dec. 8, the team went 0-8-2.
A 12-game winless streak is the longest in the team’s storied history. In 1998-99, the Flyers had eight straight defeats and four ties.
On Saturday, the 2021-22 Flyers (13-20-8) appeared sluggish, flat, and listless. Trying to figure out why it was for a team that had just established a new record for the most consecutive losses in a season is challenging.
This 11-game losing streak has resulted in a 43-22 score differential for the Flyers. As of Dec. 6, Mike Yeo, the interim head coach who replaced Alain Vigneault, is leading the team with a record of 5-10-4. (8-10-4).
Buffalo set a new season-high with six goals. The Sabres (13-21-7) had not scored five or more goals in 34 straight games before this contest. They scored five goals in the first 23 minutes of Saturday’s game against the Flyers, the first of the season between the two squads.
April 16 and 17 are the final dates for the teams to compete.
• The Flyers have a goal differential of minus-39, which ranks them fourth in the NHL. It is only the Coyotes, Canadiens, and the Kraken expansion that have scored lower.
The Flyers have a goal differential of -43 in their last 31 games after starting 62-2 in their first 10 games.
Currently, they are missing Joel Farabee, Kevin Hayes, Sean Couturier, Ryan Ellis, Derick Brassard, Nate Thompson, and Patrick Brown due to injury (MCL sprain).
The 21st of March marks the NHL’s trade deadline.
There’s no way the Flyers won’t be offloading some players and seriously considering their options for the future when the NHL’s trading period rolls around.
If this season didn’t go well, there would be talk about Claude Giroux’s future in Philadelphia. This season, Giroux’s losing streaks have amplified speculation about his trade.
As captain of the Flyers, the 34-year-old has been selected to his seventh straight All-Star team. He has 33 points to his credit and is second on the team in goals with 14. In his contract, he has a “no-movement” clause. When the deadline approaches, it will be interesting to see how each side feels about the big picture.
More: What sets Giroux apart from his contemporaries?
When Buffalo scored their second goal in the first period, Yeo challenged the play, claiming it was offside.
Because the game was tied at 2-2, it was a risky move. Even though the score was level and the action was at full strength, the Flyers could have gambled. But if you fail a challenge, you may be forced to kill the penalty to avoid a deficit.
The Sabres were able to capitalise on their subsequent man advantage after the goal was upheld following a thorough review. Before the first intermission, Buffalo added one more goal to its tally.
A 2-1 lead turned into a 4-2 deficit in less than three minutes for the Philadelphia Flyers.
Since taking over, Yeo has a perfect coaching record of 3 out of 5 challenges won. It was a close one. It was, however, a risky move.
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After Buffalo’s fourth first-period goal, Martin Jones was yanked. On eight shots, he made four saves.
In relief, Carter Hart made 14 saves out of 16 attempts.
Thirty-one of the Flyers’ 33 shots were saved by Sabres goaltender Michael Houser.
Giroux had a hand in all three of the Flyers’ goals. The other goal was scored by Rasmus Ristolainen, who was making his return to Buffalo.
At least two goals and an assist from each of Buffalo’s top scorers: Jeff Skinner (3 points), Tage Thompson (4 points), Peyton Krebs (two goals), and Rasmus Dahlin (2 assists), and Alex Tuch (2 assists).
Wade Allison was called up and made his season debut as a result of Farabee’s injury.
Because of a lower-body injury, the 24-year-old winger was unable to play in the third period.
• The Flyers host the Stars on Monday (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP) and travel to the Islanders on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET/NBCSP). They then play back-to-back games.
