Are the Flyers going to miss the playoffs?

[jrice9]

I figure we can discuss different teams as NHL fans and say what we think.

I'm bringing up the Flyers as they are 2-6 (With 4 points), the worst points percentage in the NHL right now. They've also played 8 games, which is tied for the most of any team right now.

Now its clearly early but here are some things I would be concerned about for a team I thought had a chance to be a real contender.

1, While 8 games is early, this is a shortened season and we're actually 1/6 into this season for them. Time to turn it around, sure but it gets more difficult
2, http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL.html
Sportsclub stats weigh playoff odds simply without accounting for much context but being at 13.3% is definitely concerning.
3, They have significant injuries. Beyond Pronger, Bourbon is out indefinately, Mezaros will miss a month. This defense is certainly much weaker. On offense, the leading goal scorer from last year in Hartnell will miss much of the season and Wayne Simmonds just suffered a head injury. All of these things on their own have consequences, together they can be very tough.
4, Their bottom 10 in both offense and defense so far this season and bottom 5 in both special team categories.
5, Bryzgalov is playing well but he's played in 7 of the 8 games and it seems somewhat unlikely that he'll play less this much and this well for the rest of the season. Leighton is an uninspiring backup.
6, The Eastern Conference has gotten better it seems.
7, Briere seems to be struggling coming back from injury. Considering Hartnell's injury and Giroux's struggles he's a huge aprt of this offense. It seems possible that at 35 he's hitting his decline.
8, They play in one of the best divisions in hockey and considering the focus on divisional play this year and conference play this could hurt them.
9, They lost most of their depth (a real strength for them) to injury or the offseason. When you lose Meszaros and Carle and Bourbon off your defense, jagr and Hartnell off your offense and Brobobvski in net.

Do I think they're done? No

Do I think there's a good chance they don't make the playoffs? Yes

It reminds me a bit of the 2010-2011 Devils where everything went wrong.

[OptiMized]

idk man i think this might be a bit too early, Bryz is playing well too. They will get it going soon enough, with Bryz playing the way he is and that offense playing the way they showed last year i bet they still make it. Plus these playoff % numbers can change dramatically after one or two wins. Doubt anyone in flyer land is panicking

[jrice9]

Considering they're talking about firing the coach in the Flyers forum, I think they might be panicking

[sexicano31]

There really isn't much talk about firing lavs, it's just a thread asking if he's on the hot seat which is reasonable.

If they still ****ing suck about 15 games in, I'm hoping for the 1st overall pick

[1908_Cubs]

Considering they're talking about firing the coach in the Flyers forum, I think they might be panicking

Well, that thread was more of a question of Laviolette being on the hot seat, not firing him, and if it was legitimate for him to be on the hot seat. I know, I made the thread

In the end, I think the Flyers make the playoffs but they're going to struggle over the next month. They're out Hartnell and Meszarjos, possibly Simmonds. That's a lot of offense. They're running with Tye "I scored 18 points in the AHL last year" McGinn on the top PP and top line overall. It'll be a struggle but they should sneak in.

[More-Than-Most]

I said Bryz would be a top 3 goalie this year.... He has been....No other goalie could play with this current team...Every game there is at least 2 breakaways for the other team and turnovers galore in their own end...Bryz is being hung out to dry and the only one playing well.

[KingsnQueens7]

If the Islanders keep up there hot play, no. The way its looking so far is:

Pengs: 5-3, 10 points
Islanders: 4-2-1, 9 points
Devils: 3-1-3, 9 points
Rags: 4-4, 8 points
Flyers: 3-6, 6 points

The Flyers are falling out of contention early and injuries to key players like Simmonds, and Hartnell are sure to hurt. You don't know if the Islanders can keep up the hot play, but being a fan I sure as hell hope they do but they are certain to hit a coldspell as they are giving up the most goals in the divison with Lubo and Bailey coming back should help though.

The Rangers are getting hot, and the Devils were handed there 1st loss outside of overtime today. My unbiased prediction of the Atlantic divison right now (it will be sure to change)

1. Pengs
2. Rangers
3. Devils
4. Islanders
5. Flyers

It kills me to say but the next couple weeks are going to be tough for the Flyers just injuries to key players. Bryz has been good, but those injuries to there goal scorers is going to be really really tough. I think the Islanders and the Devils are going to be fighting neck and neck for that 3rd spot, and the outcome of tommorows game is really important because that is the 3rd meeting out of 5 between the clubs. The Islanders haven't even played the Rags yet.

[KingsnQueens7]

I said Bryz would be a top 3 goalie this year.... He has been....No other goalie could play with this current team...Every game there is at least 2 breakaways for the other team and turnovers galore in their own end...Bryz is being hung out to dry and the only one playing well.

This. He is going to be carrying the load, already pointed out Flyers are missing 2 key players. There fall should not be pinned on him I agree with you man.

[Celtic AL]

They get in

[kevin13697]

Flyers & Penguins will make the playoffs. Devils & Islanders will not in the Atlantic.

[LLMunchie619]

lmao...only 4 points out of first (technically 6 with the game in hand that the Pens have) and people are already writing the flyers off??? Thats only three games! They play each other way more than that still and Simmonds is not going to be out long. I heard that he only really has whiplash and the only reason homer said he has a concussion is because it affected his baseline testing. Flyers will make a major push here soon and will be fine. With Bryz playing the way he is other teams might want to watch out for when they do catch fire. If you take away some awful calls and ridiculous bounces in the first three games, they could very well be tied for first. The first goal against of the season was a wrister from the point that deflected off L. Schenn's stick into the top corner. Law of averages says that things will start going the other way soon.

[jrice9]

Law of averages says that things will start going the other way soon.

THis is not what the law of averages says. This is actually more like the gambling fallacy

[Seguin]

Yeah, the Flyers could win 2 games and be right back in it. I mean I wouldn't call them a lock but I'm pretty sure they'll find there way.

[yaswaggin]

No all Philly teams didn't/wont make the playoffs: phillies and eagles, now the sixers and flyers are following their footsteps

[B'sCeltsPatsSox]

Well, if we were to apply the Thanksgiving theory here they would have to win their next three games. At the same time though they're only 2 points behind Toronto for the 8th spot.