Flyers top line needs to make triumphant return

Three weeks ago, the two players that carried the Flyers to the All-Star break displayed their talents as part of All-Star weekend in Columbus. 

The Flyers have played nine games since the All-Star Game. Claude Giroux has no goals and four assists. Jake Voracek has one goal and three assists.

It was inevitable that the Flyers top two players would cool eventually. But after nine games, and as the hopes for a playoff appearance are greater jeopardized, the Flyers need the top line to return to form in a hurry.

There is a positive and negative to the top line's lack of production in the last nine games. The Flyers had a nine-game point streak – including the final game before the All-Star break – almost entirely based on secondary scoring and defense. That's a sign of progress for the team.

At the same time, the negative is that the Flyers will look at the nine games since the All-Star break and see five points lost. In the games the Flyers did lose – three in overtime and one in regulation – the top line combined for two points – assists for both Giroux and Voracek on a power-play goal in Columbus last Friday.

Another alarming stat about the pair is their power-play success. While this too has made the Flyers one of the NHL's top-ranked teams on power plays, Giroux and Voracek have combined for 51 power play points. They have 115 points on the season combined.

If there is one area that is lacking for the Flyers top line, it is even strength play. Part of that falls on Brayden Schenn, who struggled mightily in Tuesday's loss and had three points in the nine games he played with Giroux and Voracek.

The noticeable struggles at even strength come in lost puck battles, missed opportunities and goals allowed. Giroux is minus-3 since the All-Star break. Voracek is minus-4. Both All-Stars were on the ice for the overtime goals last Tuesday in Montreal and last Friday in Columbus.

One way to revitalize the top line was put into effect on Tuesday night. Michael Raffl returned to the lineup on Sunday and after four periods centering Ryan White and R.J. Umberger, was moved back to the top line with Giroux and Voracek. The three have a solid chemistry that was noticeable instantly as the Flyers took the ice for the second period of Tuesday's loss.

Unfortunately, it didn't equate on the scoreboard. Perhaps Thursday's game against Buffalo presents that chance.

It may be too little too late anyway. The Flyers had risen from the dead essentially, with their chances of making the playoffs at less than one percent a month ago, to a 10.6 percent chance. However, Tuesday's loss coupled with wins for the Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals cut that percentage in half.

The pairing that the Flyers relied on for so much early in the season may be halting their progress to the playoffs as the season hits the final six weeks. And it couldn't come at a worse time.

Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.