For the first five games of the season, it was tough to see how the Flyers didn't match up with elite teams. They had their moments. They made plenty of mistakes. And yes, they lost the first four games. But they were competitive against good teams.
Then came Tuesday night's game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
"We were deer in the headlights that first period," head coach Craig Berube said. "You can’t stand around and watch them pass the puck and skate, especially a team like that."
A 3-0 first period was a large chunk of the story. And aside from one power-play goal for Chicago, the Flyers played better. But not anywhere near good enough to defeat a team like that.
"They scored a couple on the PP, but I don’t think that is why we lost the game," Mark Streit said. "We had a horrible start. Mase was pretty much the only guy out there playing his game. It’s just not acceptable, a start like that."
But it wasn't just the start. For the entire game, the Flyers struggled to sustain an offensive game. They couldn't execute outlet plays to take the pressure off Steve Mason and the defense. They couldn't carry the puck into the zone.
These are not new problems.
The Flyers won on Saturday with a three-goal third period that forced overtime. It was a dramatic win for their first of the season. They had two days off from game action in between. And then, this?
"Very surprised, very surprised," Berube said.
"The first period we got embarrassed," Claude Giroux said. "We didn’t win one battle. We’re playing good and then too many mistakes out there cost us."
It was obviously a game where two teams of different levels faced one another. The Blackhawks annually compete for a Stanley Cup. The Flyers are hovering along the border, at least according to GM Ron Hextall.
But for the first five games, it was tough to tell how far the Flyers were from that level. They competed with the likes of the Anaheim Ducks and Boston Bruins.
These games are going to be used as markers. This time, it was no contest. The Flyers aren't close to the Blackhawks in talent and ability.
And Wednesday offers another difficult task as the Flyers face the Penguins. And then comes Saturday's game against the Red Wings and next Tuesday's against the Kings. It gets no easier.
The difference in talent and ability was obvious, but also expected. The incredibly slow start was not. And that's what must improve.
It's a quick turnaround, but another tough opponent waiting on Wednesday. But the feeling is neutral. At the end of the day, it is just another elite team the Flyers have to face in an October that is putting them to the test immediately.
Kevin Durso is the Managing Editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
