Philadelphia Flyers: 3 big challenges of the 2020-21 season
Expectations are heightened for the Philadelphia Flyers, but here are three challenges they must contend with this season.
It’s been a very long time since there was this much excitement surrounding the Philadelphia Flyers for the start of an NHL season. Of course, since this is Philadelphia, they picked just about the worst possible point in time for it.
Still, there is a lot to get pumped up about here. From a budding franchise goalie in Carter Hart, to numerous breakout candidates up front, to the anticipated return of Nolan Patrick, many elements seem to be aligning at just the right time. With that said, nothing is ever perfect, and the Flyers will face their fair share of hurdles along the way. Adversity will likely rear its ugly head in other forms later in the season, but here are three obstacles standing in the way at this moment.
3. No “gimme” games on the schedule
More from Section 215
- 4 Eagles on the Bubble Who Have Clinched Their 53-Man Roster Spots
- Best Pennsylvania Sportsbook Promos: Win $650 GUARANTEED Bonus PLUS $100 off NFL Sunday Ticket
- 3 Punters the Eagles Must Target to Replace Arryn Siposs
- Cowboys Trey Lance Trade Proves How Screwed They Are With Dak Prescott
- Devon Allen Took Britain Covey’s Job on Eagles
A necessary part of the NHL putting together a Frankenstein schedule for this season was for temporary divisions to be drawn with geography in mind (plus the whole Canada stumbling block). As such, and through no fault of their own, the Flyers find themselves in what looks to easily be the toughest of the four divisions that the league will roll with during this abbreviated, 56-game campaign.
With only four playoff spots up for grabs, one of the Flyers, Bruins, Penguins, Capitals, or Islanders will fail to qualify. And even the supposed bottom feeders won’t be too easy to play against, with the Sabres adding former MVP Taylor Hall this offseason and the Rangers sporting shiny new toy Alexis Lafreniere, the product of winning a draft lottery that totally wasn’t rigged. And the Devils…well, they stink. But it’s going to be tough.
Meanwhile, pushover teams like the Red Wings and Senators reside elsewhere, and the Flyers won’t be able to count on those easy points this year. They won’t face the Blue Jackets either, and while Columbus is a decent team, the Flyers took all four meetings last season. On the plus side, the Flyers won’t meet up with the defending champion Lightning or a solid Hurricanes club. But on the whole, this alignment hurt the Flyers more than it helped them. The Eastern Division is going to be a battle royale.