Philadelphia Flyers Hitting Tough Times, Look To Bounce Back

For most hockey clubs, a 5-5-0 record in their last 10 hockey games is not so bad. Yet most hockey clubs do not have to compete with the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, and Pittsburgh Penguins on a day-to-day basis.

That is why the Flyers' lackluster 6-6-1 record in 2009 thus far will not get the job done.

Once the third-place team in the Eastern Conference, the Flyers have fallen back to sixth place and are just four points away from 10th place. They are also just three points away from fourth place.

Also, it appears catching the Atlantic leading New Jersey Devils, who are eight points ahead and third in the East, will be the Flyers' top priority. It will take hard work to overcome the Devils, who have won nine of their last ten games.

The Flyers started the season by losing their first six games. Because of those early season troubles, tiny "skids" like we are seeing now are not what the Flyers need, nonetheless, can afford.

With every loss, the Florida Panthers and Pittsburgh Penguins are sneaking up and looking to pounce. The Flyers need to regain their poise and show the same resiliency they showed for most of the season.

On Wednesday night in Philadelphia, the Flyers faced off with the league-leading Boston Bruins in the first game of a home-and-home. The Bruins clearly out-played the captain-less Flyers, as Mike Richards was missing in action due to the flu. Scottie Upshall and Braydon Coburn also missed the game.

I can understand a loss like this to the best team in the league right now, especially since the Flyers have not been without their captain all season. To me, it seemed like identity theft. He's their identity, so without him, this team is not the same.

On Saturday, the Flyers and Bruins will once again go at it, this time in Boston. Braydon Coburn returned to practice today and will likely play. Yet, Scottie Upshall and Mike Richards did not practice and did not fly to Boston with the rest of the team today.

They will be re-evaluated tomorrow morning, and will make the decision to take a plane to Boston to play or to stay in Philadelphia. At practice today, Coach John Stevens had a few things to say about Saturday's game.

"Boston is obviously a team that is playing with a lot of confidence right now," he said. "We had a good look at them the other day, and I think when you play a team two times in a row it should help you prepare and what to expect.

"I thought we had a good couple days of practice here, and obviously we'd like to have Richie and Scottie back, but getting [Coburn] back is a big boost and we're looking forward to going in there and playing well."

The Bruins have won six out of their last seven games and look to complete the home-and-home sweep, one of the toughest feats in hockey.

In other hockey news, Sidney Crosby (52%) was voted the player who complains the most on the ice in a player survey conducted by ESPN. Mike Richards (1%) finished tied for ninth in the same question.

Also in the survey, Philadelphia Flyers (24%) fans were voted to be the "most disruptive" fans in the league.

Finally, Flyers forwards Mike Richards (3%) and Jeff Carter (2%) were both voted for in the "most underrated" player question on the survey.

Quotes and news from Flyers.com