Game Observations: Who Are The Flyers, Exactly?

The Philadelphia Flyers head into All-Star break with an Identity Crisis.

The Philadelphia Flyers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0 to head into the All-Star weekend with a respectable two-game win streak. Jakub Voracek, James van Riemsdyk, and Justin Braun scored for Philadelphia. Brian Elliott got the shutout.

If there is one thing I can say about the Flyers is that you never know what team is going to show up. They remind me of a 1980’s game show entitled ‘To Tell The Truth’. There were three people on the stage. one of them was telling the truth, and the other two were trying to convince the panel that they were someone that they aren’t.

There were (at least) three different Flyers teams on the ice in the first half of the season.

There was the Flyers team that gave up 4 goals in the first period and ultimately lost 6-2 to the Arizona Coyotes. In that game, the Flyers allowed at least a half dozen odd-man rushes. They were beaten in all 3 facets of the game. The goals allowed by Philadelphia were the result of rebound control, odd-man breaks, and uninspired defensive zone play by the forwards. That Flyers team gave up way to easy.

Is it the Flyers team that came to play against the Stanley Cup Champion St. Louis Blues? In that game, Philadelphia matched them shot for shot, check for check. It was a physical game, but the Flyers never retreated ore gave up. It was a game the coaching staff can use to remind the team how good they could be. It was something that the Flyers could build on going forward. They coughed up a 2 goal lead but didn’t crumble, eventually winning that game in overtime to walk away with two points.

Or could it be the squad that played the Penguins Tuesday evening? They held Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin off the scoreboard, and they were nonfactors. The Flyers were inspired, committed, responsible, and looked like a team determined to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins. Halfway through the 3rd period, Elliot made a huge save on Bryan Rust to keep it 2-0. If that shot goes in, there’s no telling what would’ve happened next. That goal could have sapped the Flyers of their confidence, and fueled Pittsburgh’s comeback. Fortunately, the Orange and Black had none of that and completed the shutout victory over their in-state rival.

Which one is the real 2019-20 Flyers squad? Are they the one who struggles mightily on the road, matches up well with talented opposition, or dominates their competition altogether? You tell me.