Flyers Facing Uphill Battle in Schedule Gauntlet

The final 15 games on the Flyers schedule this season have a chance to potentially deliver a dose of truth serum to the franchise. It’s been an amazing and yet rumbly 2023-24 season. They have clearly exceeded all expectations. They're sitting on the presipice of an unlikely playoff berth, but it’s far from secure.

Much like the Eagles last season, the Flyers have started a seven-game gauntlet that could tell us all we need to know about their playoff viability.

The disappointing 6-2 defeat at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs was the first of the seven-game gauntlet. The Flyers have lost two games of their last three games by a combined score of 13-2.

Their next six contests are against teams ahead of them in the standings. Toronto returns again next week. They'll play a home-and-home against the Boston Bruins. The Florida Panthers will seek revenge in a trip to Philadelphia, and road games against the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Rangers await. If the Flyers wants to create belief they could find a way to a playoff series upset, this would be a great stretch of the schedule to start building hope.

The nine games that finish out the 2023-24 campaign should give them the chance to regroup. They could accumulate points to grab that trip to the tournament. Only one game versus the Rangers is against a team that is ahead of them in the standings. If the Islanders, Capitals, or Devils close the gap, their only remaining matchups will all be in Philadelphia.

The Flyers have dealt with injuries, and it’s not clear whether they’re depleted defensive corps will recover in time to save their playoff hopes. They've asked goalie Sam Ersson to carry a huge load after the unexpected exit of Carter Hart. Felix Sandstrom doesn’t look ready for prime time at the moment. There are many obstacles that could make late April hockey an impossibility.

I’m excited with what I have seen in the first 65 games, and I’ve certainly changed my tune as to whether a playoff berth is worth chasing. A collapse down the stretch could damage the psyche of young players who helped them into playoff position for a long portion of the season. The swagger earned and lessons learned could be valuable in future years.

I expect the Flyers to secure a playoff berth, but I believe it’s going to be a struggle bus to the finish line.

The Flyers Charities Carnival took place at the Wells Fargo Center on Sunday.

Fans of the Orange and Black had an opportunity to interact with the players and enjoy games, prizes, and everyone’s favorite mascot to benefit the great causes that the organization supports.

Connor Thomas and Tom Alvord broadcasted live from the arena on 97.5 The Fanatic from 11am-3pm. They hosted special guests all afternoon, including interim general manager Danny Brière and head coach John Tortorella.

Long-time Flyers broadcasters Tim Saunders and Jim Jackson also joined the broadcast to talk about the state of the team and optimism for the future after a tough season in 2022-23.

Tortorella discussed his passion for animal welfare with the “Hockey & Hounds” initiative through the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and The Pennsylvania SPCA (PSPCA).

The Flyers Charities Carnival focused on the three pillars that define their charity mission: