Writer: Kevin Durso

Morning After: Sunday’s must-win for fading Flyers

Kevin Durso Sports Editor

Published06 Apr 2014

Disclosure

We sometimes use affiliate links in our content, when clicking on those we might receive a commission – at no extra cost to you. By using this website you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy.

The Bruins celebrate after Milan Lucic's second goal in the Bruins 5-2 win over the Flyers on Saturday. (Photo Courtesy of ESPN.com)

The Flyers are now on a four-game winless streak and fading at the wrong time.

One week ago, a loss was actually a moral victory. The Flyers had skated 65 minutes with the Boston Bruins. It was encouraging to see the Flyers hang with the NHL's best.

Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Bruins had a different vibe, especially when coupled with Thursday's loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Flyers are a fading team and have to watch their backs.

“The third period wasn’t very good, in general,” head coach Craig Berube said. “We didn’t come out and initiate anything in the third. We were in our end the whole period.

“I thought the same thing last game. We have to initiate in the third period. With the game on the line, tied. I thought we competed hard up to then and were in good shape. You can’t sit back and let teams come at you.”

This is not the same team that had other teams talking. Remember the win against the Blues? Remember the talk about how the Flyers were playoff ready? This team looks ready for an early exit from the playoffs.

"I don't think we've been as sharp," Scott Hartnell said. "Those games a few weeks ago seemed like every shift we were on, and the last couple it seems like we haven't paid the price, or haven't played within the system.

"You can really tell we were going four lines all together in the system, and the last couple games have been not that way."

The Flyers have five games left before the playoffs. Three of them should result in the five points the Flyers need to clinch a playoff spot.

It shouldn't have been this difficult. The Flyers have lost the edge and strayed from the system that had them rolling. They have five games left to find it. The first is a home game against the NHL's worst team in the standings, the Buffalo Sabres.

A game against a last-place team in April should not have the consequences this game has. The Flyers have been backed into a corner. It is a must-win game.

“Every game is a must-win,” Claude Giroux said. “There’s a lot of teams behind us trying to make the playoffs. We’ve played good enough to be in this position and we can’t forget that. We have to remember we’re a good team.”

Kevin Durso is the lead beat writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.