Kevin Hayes

The problem with each of these possibilities is that they are rooted in hope. Hope that the injured players return as advertised and stay healthy. Hope the young players take that big step everyone has waited for. Hope that you can perhaps manufacture some hockey trades or free-agent signings to plug in the holes that the team is lacking for speed and skill and make it all work.

Buffalo scored twice in the first and twice in the second to open up a two-goal lead going to the third. That was enough as the Flyers were dealt a season sweep from the Sabres in a 5-3 loss on Sunday afternoon at Wells Fargo Center. 

The Flyers and Ducks will meet for the final time this season on Saturday night.

Kevin Hayes scored in the third round of the shootout and Martin Jones capped off a strong game with a save on Filip Chytil to secure the Flyers first shootout win of the season, a 4-3 decision over the New York Rangers. 

Auston Matthews scored his 51st goal of the season and Morgan Rielly had three points as the Leafs finished off a 6-3 decision on Saturday night at Wells Fargo Center. 

The final 15 games for the Flyers will serve as a chance to evaluate. They will provide a look at some new faces entering the lineup in the last couple of weeks and maybe even a new face or two to come down the road. It is a way to take inventory going into the offseason – what does the team already have and what does it need even more of on the roster moving forward?

The road losing streak came to an end after 13 games, as the Flyers claimed a win in St. Louis on Thursday night. The trip continues one night later, as the Flyers spend Friday night taking on the Colorado Avalanche, the NHL's top team, in the third game of the five-game road trip.

Travis Konecny had a pair of goals, but Hayden Hodgson stole the show in his NHL debut with a goal and an assist, as the Flyers snapped the streak against the Blues with a 5-2 win.

The Flyers road losing streak continued on Tuesday night and reached 13 games, as they got off to a slow start in the first period. Their attempt at a comeback came up short in a 6-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

It’s not about whether Owen Tippett has the ability in him. That’s what got him drafted 10th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft. It’s about if he can consistently have noticeable performances like the one in his Flyers debut on Sunday, especially if the opportunity for ice time and an increased role is there.