In each of the Flyers last three seasons, the playoff push has not been easy.
In a lockout-shortened 2013 season, the Flyers carried a frantic playoff push into the final few games. Last season, it took a rally from a horrendous start to the season just to make the playoffs. The Flyers finally clinched a spot with three games remaining in the regular season.
Now there is the 2014-15 season and the Flyers even crazier path into playoff relevancy. It was there on Tuesday night, as the Flyers were presented with a chance to close the gap to four points in the standings. Riding a nine-game points streak, the Flyers fell to pieces on several occasions, falling to the Columbus Blue Jackets for the fourth time in five games this season.
"We didn't really recover from that goal in the first period," head coach Craig Berube said. "Second period tied the game up and made two mistakes in the third period."
Each goal that Columbus scored showcased a serious issue with the Flyers, almost providing a focal point as to why there shouldn't be a discussion featuring the word "playoffs."
On the Blue Jackets first goal, an unnecessary penalty by Brayden Schenn turned into a Columbus lead in just eight seconds. Just 1:40 later, it was a Columbus bounce that beat Ray Emery.
"The start of the game has effect on the outcome," Berube said. "[We] lost the game in the first period."
In the third, Columbus scored off a horrendous turnover by Vincent Lecavalier, added a goal on a bad rebound by Emery and put the game away on an empty-net goal as the Flyers struggled to do anything with the extra attacker on the ice.
For the most part, the ice was tilted the Flyers way. Unlike Friday's third-period collapse, the Flyers continued to pile on the shots in the second and third. They finished the game with 44, but just two goals to show for things.
Disappointing is the Flyers response in the third. Two late goals in the second had wiped out a horrible first period. While the shots were there, the chances were not, and as the final period crept toward its midpoint, Columbus took over.
"I think we played very well in the second," Claude Giroux said. "If we play like that, we're going to win a lot of games. Third period, we've just got to find a way."
"I thought we were fine," Berube said. "We were playing, getting some chances. Gave up an odd-man rush on the first goal, Ray makes a spectacular save, then we turn the puck over. Inexcusable turnover and it's in our net."
If the Flyers considered the three overtime losses in the nine-game point streak lost points, then consider this two more points lost. For a team that trails the final playoff spot by six points, those lost points make it feel like a double-digit mountain again.
It was a four-game stretch that looked too good to be true and appears it is. The Flyers are 1-1-1 against the Blue Jackets and Buffalo Sabres with one game left against Buffalo on Thursday. Three out of six points is not even close to the desired result.
And following Thursday's game, the playing surface levels out again. The Flyers might be closer to the playoffs than Columbus or Buffalo, but it didn't show. Columbus nearly swept the season series from the Flyers, handing the Orange and Black a 1-2-2 record in their five meetings this season.
"We need our best effort and we need to get points from here on in," Emery said. "Every game is important."
I think it's safe to say: good riddance to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the thorn in the side of the Flyers this season.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
