Outdoor adventure nets nothing in playoff hunt
PITTSBURGH >> There was a lot of pomp and circumstance, snow flurries and fans. A sellout crowd of more than 67,000 freezing spectators, quite a few of whom came from Philadelphia ... and left Heinz Field early for warmer saloon seats.
When it ended, however, after a 4-2 Penguins victory in the Stadium Series game, it was quite clear that the Flyers were also going to be on the outside looking in at all taken seats at the Eastern Conference playoff table.
“If we want to make it to the playoffs we have to score the goals,” said Jake Voracek, who did score a goal. “We’re not scoring. It’s simple. We get 40 shots every game, we don’t put the puck in the net.”
It is a bit frustrating for them, but then, teams with an offensive philosophy of bombing from the outside and hope something falls right for them at the crease are going to miss a lot more than make. But this secondhalf swoon hasn’t fallen correctly at all for the Flyers, who have lost seven of their last nine games. They are 8-15-3 since Dec. 21. They’ve scored 47 goals over those 26 games.
They’re also five points out of the playoffs, but now with a bullet pointing south because of lack of numbers. And speaking of numbers, Voracek, a bit of a public prognosticator in the past, was asked what he thought his team’s chances were of making the playoffs.
“I have no idea,” he said. “I’m not a good math guy. We have to win the games. We’ve got what, 21 games (left)? Fifteen, 16 wins, maybe. I mean, we’re capable of doing that. We just have to start scoring.
“It’s hard to win when you only score two goals,” Voracek added. “We had a few good opportunities, but it’s getting old.”
It’s been the story of this team for too long, and it doesn’t seem to be getting better. Claude Giroux didn’t have a shot on goal, even though his team launched 38 this time.
At least the power play again showed some spark, via a Shayne Gostisbehere goal . ... His first in 34 games. Which brings us around to the same old, tired theme.
“Yeah, it’s getting old,” Gostisbehere said. “But it’s something we just have got to stick with, and that’s what we’re going to do. We’re a noexcuse team and we have get going here.”
The Flyers (28-26-7, 63 points) may not like their place in the race, but at least their next game should be a little easier. They have the NHL-worst Colorado Avalanche at home ... about four hours after the Tuesday trade deadline expires.
At least that game will be to indoors.
“The first period was tough. With the wind in your face it was tougher,” Voracek said of this third outdoor game in Flyers history, and their third outdoor loss. “But it was fun. I’m not going to lie, I really enjoyed it. It was cool again, but like I said, it would be better if we ended up on the winning side.”