At this level, the Philadelphia Flyers‘ goaltending woes have reached historic heights. Over their final 46 video games, their crew save share (SV%) is simply .850. I went again and checked out the newest 46 contests of each crew in NHL historical past for the reason that stat was tracked, and the Orange and Black sit comfortably in final place for the metric. Even the golf equipment that folded largely because of ineptitude had higher goaltending than the Flyers have now—having a “lack of expertise” is not a sound clarification for this phenomenon.
Can we blame the protection for this? How for much longer can we count on this to maintain taking place? Does their new, younger netminder encourage any confidence? Let’s reply these questions.
Assessing the Flyers’ Protection
So far as the analytics are involved, the Flyers’ protection can’t clarify their goaltending misfortunes. With per-60 charges of 26.42 photographs towards (second-fewest within the NHL) and three.96 targets towards (second-most within the NHL), it’s a bit simpler to see why Philadelphia’s SV% is so low. Regardless of being among the finest shot-limiters on the market, they permit targets behind their internet at one of many highest charges within the league.
Even anticipated targets (examine what which means right here) don’t do the Flyers’ netminders justice. They’ve the 14th-best charge of anticipated targets towards per 60 minutes at 2.99 and are above league-average in stopping scoring possibilities and high-danger shot makes an attempt. The attention check could inform a special story, so let’s get into that.
The first goal of those superior stats, at the least how I see it, is to appropriate for an inaccurate eye check. As people, we are inclined to have flawed assessments sometimes. With that being stated, the Flyers’ protection has its moments the place they offer their netminder primarily no likelihood to make a save. Anticipated targets can account for these blunders, however they aren’t good. On the similar time, I feel a lot of the blame belongs to the fellows whose job is to cease the pucks flung at them.
When Will the Flyers’ Goaltending Enhance?
I had an optimistic outlook on the Flyers this season, anticipating them to avenge their collapse early final spring and clinch the postseason for the primary time since 2019-20. Nevertheless, issues haven’t performed out that method—they’re 2-6-1 and don’t look notably good. Loads of that has to do with the play of their skaters, however the play between the pipes has not helped in any respect.
Associated: Philadelphia Flyers’ X-Issue for 2024-25: Puck Possession
The largest cause why I felt the Flyers might flip it round this season was due to their goaltending. With traditionally poor netminding towards the top of 2023-24, certainly they’d bounce again, proper? Effectively, they haven’t thus far. They’ve had a .900 SV% or higher in simply two of their 9 video games, and under an .840 SV% in 5 of them. Nothing has modified, and there’s no true finish in sight.
Finally, the Flyers will flip issues round to a point—it’s virtually inevitable. However it’s additionally vital to notice that within the crew’s closing 37 contests of final season, they put up an .852 SV%. That’s half a season of among the worst goaltending you’ll ever see, and the Orange and Black have picked up proper the place they left off. That is one thing that often fixes itself, however it hasn’t over a reasonably large pattern. Whereas the expectation ought to nonetheless be that the Flyers’ tandem finds its legs and never be a complete outlier from the remainder, it’s not a assure.
Proper now, the Flyers’ duo (trio if you wish to embody the healthy-scratched Ivan Fedotov) is Sam Ersson and Aleksei Kolosov. The previous has had his brilliant spots up to now and is answerable for the crew’s solely two high quality begins. He has a reasonably excessive ceiling, in a position to steal video games even when his crew is struggling to provide offensively. He was continuously the Flyers’ most dear participant through the months of November, December, and January final season however didn’t be so very a lot after that. It’s affordable to carry out hope for him, however the 25-year-old should begin being extra constant.
Kolosov had his first begin with Philadelphia on Oct. 27 towards the Montreal Canadiens, stopping 20 of the 24 photographs he confronted. Whereas he nor the protection had an incredible night time, there have been some brilliant spots within the 22-year-old Belarusian’s recreation. His athleticism was obvious, showcasing some big-save means. He’ll should put the whole lot collectively, however he may very well be the backup netminder to assist clear up among the Flyers’ points.
So long as the Flyers are turning apart simply 85 of each 100 photographs they face, a first-overall decide is extra more likely to be of their future than a playoff berth. Except for the crew merely discovering its groove, their final likelihood could be the expansion of Kolosov, their new netminder. Maybe he can take some strain off of Ersson and make higher goaltending a actuality within the Metropolis of Brotherly Love.
Stats courtesy of Pure Stat Trick
