Flyers Fail to Capitalize on Momentum Again, Shut Out by Mammoth Night Before Trade Deadline

After getting themselves right back into the playoff hunt with three straight wins against three of the oldest teams in the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs, the Philadelphia Flyers came home to get blanked by the league’s newest team, the Utah Mammoth, 3-0. In fact, the Flyers have now lost their fourth game out of four to the Mammoth, one of three teams yet to beat the Tusks.

It was another disappointing effort from the Flyers while the vibes in the locker room were high with momentum on their side. Coming off a third straight win, just like when the Flyers lost 4-0 to the New York Islanders after beating both the Vegas Golden Knights and the Colorado Avalanche on the road in regulation, the Flyers showed up flat. They still have not solved the inconsistency they have had throughout the season. It has plagued them all year long.

Despite not having Travis Konecny (upper-body injury) or Nick Seeler (lower-body injury) in the lineup, there could have been a much better effort from the offense and defense.

Momentum Issues Continue From Season Start to Now

One of the reasons the Flyers aren’t in a playoff spot anymore is due to the fact that even when they have the momentum on their side, the offense and defense seem to shut off spontaneously, especially when these wins make statements and raise the Flyers up in the standings. When coming back home to Philly after a win streak and/or statement win, the fans and all others expect great things from a team that’s been given a lot.

It started all the way in October, when the Flyers completed the victory over the defending back-to-back champions in the Florida Panthers in the home opener, and then later got walked on by the Winnipeg Jets 5-2, a Winnipeg team towards the bottom of the league. After a three-game win streak to end October, two games against Metropolitan Division opponents, the Flyers would lose 5-2 to the Toronto Maple Leafs to start the month of November. The same happened when the Flyers swept both games of a back-to-back and won three straight, just to start the month of December off losing 5-1 to the rival Penguins.

And most recently, tonight, as the Flyers, while trending in the standings after a three-game win streak, come out and get blanked, something that seems to only happen when they have momentum. Head coach Rick Tocchet described the start of tonight’s game as “soft” and “uninspiring.”

Whether to finish off the year or throughout next season, the Flyers need to be able to come out with their highest energy after gaining momentum. They need to stop throwing their momentum away.

Powerhouses in the NHL need to continue streaks when momentum is fully on their side, showing that the Flyers just aren’t at the level others are at.

Clayton Keller, the Newest “Flyer Killer”

Around the NHL, there are a handful of stars who rack up points against the Flyers, such as the Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad, the Oilers’ Connor McDavid, the Maple Leafs’ Johnny Tavares, the Predators’ Stephen Stamkos, and, infamously, the Penguins’ captain, Sidney Crosby.

Tonight, Utah’s (formerly Arizona’s) Keller added his name to that list. Back in Utah, Keller’s goal with a little over 30 seconds tied the game, just for Keller to score another and win it for Utah in overtime. He scored once again in Philadelphia tonight.

Keller has now scored eight goals and 10 assists in 16 games against the Flyers, for about 1.13 points per game against Philadelphia.

The Flyers have shown that they have trouble with having a plan for the stars, and tonight showed it when Keller was able to find the gap and squeeze the puck through the five-hole of Flyers’ goaltender Daniel Vladar, who usually stops the five-hole.

Though the Flyers’ offense did not produce to keep the game close, Keller’s consistency against Philadelphia helps Utah win these important games.

Flyers’ Playoff Chances After Tonight’s Loss

With the other teams in the Eastern Conference continuing to win games, a loss at any point in time is going to fatally hurt the Flyers’ chances at the playoffs. Teams like the Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Columbus Blue Jackets just continue to win, meaning the Flyers have their work cut out for them.

As of after the loss, the Flyers currently sit at 67 points, tied with the Ottawa Senators. Even though the Flyers are six points out of a playoff spot, they’ve got at least four teams to pass for only the last spot in the postseason. Tonight was a must-win, as a four-game win streak would have not only made up ground but also would have given the team the fuel to go for a fifth straight win.

Even if the Flyers were to catch up eventually, a game like tonight shows that you can never guess when the Flyers give in and struggle at all ends of the rink. Tonight showed that, despite having their moments, this is not a playoff team, and it won’t be until they control the stars, keep consistency, and defend the middle of the ice on the rush, which they have shown they can do well.

Flyers Move on From the Loss to Trade Deadline

This loss tonight is a disappointing way to bring the Flyers back to their reality of the team they really are at this point in time. They’re in for a big day before tomorrow’s 3:00 PM deadline.

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