The door has closed on the Philadelphia Flyers’ disastrous month of March, and not a moment too soon.
Even after the grim loss to the Boston Bruins at Lake Tahoe in late February, the Flyers closed out the month with a pair of 3-0 shutouts of the Buffalo Sabres. Their 11-4-3 record had them fourth in the East Division in real points, but their .694 points percentage was tops in the division. And their goal differential was plus-seven, with an average of three goals against per game.
Here’s the final tape of the tape from March:
- 17 GP, 6-10-1
- .382 points percentage (third-worst in the league)
- 75 goals against, 4.41 goals against per game (worst in the league and worst month in franchise history in both categories)
- goal differential is now minus-22
And of course, the month wrapped up with a crushing 6-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, owners of the league’s worst record and, before Wednesday, an 18-game winless streak.
What Lies Ahead In April
But as of Friday, the Flyers are still just three points out of a playoff spot. They’re still within striking distance of the Boston Bruins, who have two games in hand but have been struggling with inconsistency — and putting pucks in the net. Boston ranked 30th in the league in March with just 2.15 goals scored per game.
The Rangers are also in the mix — tied with the Flyers with 38 points, but with one more game played. It looks like it’ll be a three-horse race for that final playoff spot. The Capitals, Islanders, and Penguins have built a comfortable cushion at the top of the division, each with 50 points heading into Friday’s action.
After squeezing 17 games into their March schedule, the Flyers will play 15 times in April — a slightly less grueling workload. But 11 of those games will be on the road, and there are four sets of back-to-backs.
Next week’s three games against the Bruins could decide the season — a home-and-home on Monday and Tuesday, then a matinee next Saturday at Wells Fargo Center. Along the way, they’ll also visit the Islanders twice — this Saturday, then next Thursday.
Roster Roulette
In an effort to find a spark for his team, Alain Vigneault has been juggling his roster over the past week.
Most notably, Carter Hart was given three games off to take a break, mentally, and work with goaltending coach Kim Dillabaugh. Hart did not dress for either game in Buffalo this week. Alex Lyon saw his first 24:08 of NHL game action this season when he relieved Brian Elliott on Wednesday. He allowed one goal on 10 shots.
Vigneault also scratched forwards Oskar Lindblom and Nolan Patrick on Wednesday, wanting to give them some extra rest after the challenges they’d both gone through last season.
On Friday, the club recalled forwards Tanner Laczynski and Linus Sandin from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. They’re swapping spots with Connor Bunnaman and Carsen Twarynski.
Laczynski has been tearing up the AHL of late, with six goals in five games before his recall. The 23-year-old, who was drafted in the sixth round in 2016, could make his NHL debut on Saturday against the Islanders.
Alain Vigneault said he hasn’t decided on lineup yet, so perhaps Tanner Laczynski may not make NHL debut Saturday. I’d think he would, but we’ll see.
Nolan Patrick and Oskar Lindblom are both in lineup Saturday.
— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) April 2, 2021
- Ep 102: Chiefs, Eagles Advance To The Super Bowl
by Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 11:26 pm
On the blue line, Shayne Gostisbehere did clear waivers as expected on Wednesday. He has been assigned to the taxi squad, but skated on the third pair at Friday’s practice.
Lines and combos:
JvR-Couturier-Farabee
Laughton-Hayes-Patrick
Konecny-Giroux-Voracek
Raffl-Laczynski-NAKProvorov-Braun
Sanheim-Myers
Morin-Gostisbehere
Hagg-GustafssonLindblom took a few reps in place of TK, but mostly sat out.
— Charlie O’Connor (@charlieo_conn) April 2, 2021
Latest Flyers News
- Flyers And Their Fans Say ‘Good Riddance’ to March
- Flyers Eke Out Win Over Sabres, Put Shayne Gostisbehere On Waivers
- Samuel Morin Plays Hero As The Flyers Finally Beat The Rangers
- Chuck Fletcher Says The Flyers Are Still Targeting A Playoff Spot
- The Philadelphia Flyers Are Halfway…To Where?
NCAA Update: Cam York Turns Pro
Cam York became the latest blueliner to join the fold when he signed his entry-level contract on Wednesday.
BREAKING: We’ve signed defenseman @camyork2 to a three-year ELC! #AnytimeAnywhere https://t.co/tZJcVTdg7S
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 31, 2021
Drafted 14th overall by Philadelphia in 2019, York is an offense-minded defenseman. In January, he won a gold medal as captain of Team USA at the 2021 World Junior Championship. Now 20, he spent his last two seasons at the University of Michigan. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the opportunity to participate in the NCAA Tournament. The 2020 edition was cancelled due to Covid-19, of course. This year, the Wolverines were forced to withdraw before their first game due to a positive Covid case on their roster.
York will be starting his pro hockey journey with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. If he adjusts well, don’t rule out a call-up from the big club before the end of the season.
As of Friday, there’s no word yet on the plans of 2018 first-rounder Jay O’Brien of Boston University or 2019 second-rounder Bobby Brink of the University of Denver. College players who sign before the April 12 trade deadline are allowed to be added to their clubs’ playoff rosters.
The post Flyers And Their Fans Say ‘Good Riddance’ to March appeared first on Full Press Hockey.
-
Ep 142: Former Washington Quarterback And Super Bowl Champion Doug Williams Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 10:19 pm
Former Washington quarterback and Super Bowl champion Doug Williams joins […]
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
(Episode 3.2) Offseason Talk with the "Command This!" Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 3:04 am
George Carmi hosts Steve, Dev, and Phil as they discuss the Commanders […]
-
Ep 167: Super Bowl LVII Previewby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 12:33 am
This season premiere featured a preview of the NFL's season finale. In […]
-
2/3 - Tom Brady Retires... For Goodby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's second, and likely final, retirement. […]
-
1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
Ian and John discuss whether or not the 49ers loss in the NFC Championship […]
-
1/30 - Conference Championship Recap: Eagles, Chiefs Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 10:35 am
Ian and John recap the Eagles and Chiefs victories on Conference […]
-
1/27 - Conference Championship Preview: Who is Going To The Super Bowl?by Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
Ian and John preview Conference Championship Weekend and give their picks […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Mavericks at Warriorsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
Rockets at Thunderby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 8:15 pm
-
Heat at Bucksby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 7:30 pm
-
Trail Blazers at Bullsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 6:45 pm
-
Clippers at Knicksby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 6:00 pm
-
Suns at Pistonsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 5:15 pm
-
Wizards at Netsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 4:30 pm
-
Lakers at Pelicansby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 3:45 pm
-
Ep 150: Owen Hart Part One - Young Gunby Full Press Coverage on February 4, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
Fight Stack: Final Notesby Full Press Coverage on February 4, 2023 at 12:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm