What else can you say about the Flyers’ 9-0 loss to the Rangers? Here are a few things.
Who was on the ice for all those goals (and who wasn't)? And what does this mean for the Flyers at the trade deadline?
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Sudden thoughts and simple suggestions after the St. Patrick’s Day massacre at Madison Square Garden.
It was 3-0 with more than 16 minutes left in the second period when NBCSN analyst Brian Boucher challenged the Flyers.
“I know there’s a lot of time in this hockey game, but I wanna see a fire alarm going off here. I want to see a response by Philadelphia. ... The defensive end has not been very good. I’m looking for a response. I know it’s not a must-win, but you’ve got to respond right now.”
No sooner had Boucher made his plea when Pavel Buchnevich scored the Rangers’ fourth goal, this one deflecting in off Phil Myers’ skate.
That kinda night.
» READ MORE: Claude Giroux and the Flyers are embarrassed after the Rangers game ... and they ought to be | On the Fly
Loss of confidence
If Shayne Gostisbehere and Nate Prosser got scratched after each posting a -3 on Monday, what happens to Travis Sanheim and Phil Myers, who were -6 on Wednesday in the Flyers’ 9-0 loss to the Rangers? If this was the KHL, they’d probably be sent to Siberia.
It’s one thing to scratch the veteran forwards, but benching Myers has not had the desired effect. He does not look confident out there. None of the defensemen do, really. Except for Justin Braun.
Also worth noting that Robert Hagg did not play the final 38 minutes. Couldn’t tell what happened to him.
The witnesses
Who was on the ice for the Rangers’ goals, you ask? Cover your eyes.
7 goals: Sanheim
6 goals: Myers
5 goals: Brian Elliott
4 goals: Carter Hart
3 goals: Connor Bunnaman, Sean Couturier, Joel Farabee, Claude Giroux, Erik Gustafsson, James van Riemsdyk, Jake Voracek
2 goals: Andy Andreoff, Kevin Hayes, Scott Laughton, Nolan Patrick
1 goal: Ivan Provorov, Michael Raffl,
No goals: Justin Braun, Robert Hagg, Travis Konecny
Leftovers
The Flyers attempted more shots (50-44), but the Rangers had more that were on goal (29-26). ... Philadelphia has given up at least three goals in nine consecutive games, 13 in a row if you take out the two shutouts against the hapless Sabres.
What’s next?
This should take some heat off Chuck Fletcher to trade prospects for 30-year-old defensemen. The Flyers are not one defenseman away from Cup contention, but they also don’t need a total Sam Hinkie-like makeover either.
You think that was bad?
The worst loss in Flyers history was a 12-0 defeat to the Blackhawks in 1969. Bernie Parent finished that game in relief of Doug Favell and five years later led the Flyers to the Stanley Cup. Hart finished Wednesday’s game in place of Elliott. Just wait till Hart does the same in 2026.