The Flyers knew they faced a key point in the season. A March homestand (plus a home/home against Pittsburgh) while the Flyers fought to keep their heads above water in tight standings would have a major effect on the Flyers season's fortunes, directly and pyschologically. Recall last March, when the Flyers faced a pivotal "Rivalry Week" with games against Pittsburgh, Boston and New York, and came away with 0 points.
For the most part, the Flyers aced this test. The Flyers knocked around a beat-up and dispirited Pens team, and took 2 of 3 from NHL elites like the Hawks, Kings and Blues. I'm not sure you could ask for much more.
All season long I've been assuring myself that the Flyers truthfully are just a fringe playoff team, staring at a one-and-done playoff trip (assuming they even got that far). Now I'm relenting and beginning to reconsider. Surely the Flyers do not have the horses on defense to be considered a favorite, but they are a team that refuses to lose. They're never out of the game, and that makes any opponent nervous.
Maybe it's more accurate to simply forget about the Flyers awful start to the season. Different coach, different Giroux, different system. Just throw it all out, and pretend the season started on November 1.
A quick look at some NHL standings since that date.
Boston - 60 games, 88 points (1.47/gm)
St. Louis - 61 games, 87 points (1.43/gm)
Pittsburgh - 59 games, 79 points (1.34/gm)
Chicago - 59 games, 78 points (1.32/gm)
Philadelphia - 60 games, 77 points (1.28/gm)
Anaheim - 57 games, 68 points (1.19/gm)
San Jose - 60 games, 69 points (1.15/gm)
Seems about right with what I've been watching the last few weeks. The Flyers are not up to snuff with the title favorites, but maybe they really have elevated themselves into the second tier of flawed but dangerous NHL teams.
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