This Flyers outdoor game in Lake Tahoe is going to happen ... maybe | On the Fly

When they beat the Capitals on Feb. 7, the Flyers had an eight-point cushion between where they stood in the East division and the final playoff spot. After having their last four games postponed, that lead has dropped to three points.

Either the Flyers are going to have to somehow reschedule these games or hope the NHL uses points-earned percentage to determine playoff qualifiers. And do you realize that, based on the points percentage, the Devils would be the fourth team in the East’s playoffs? Jersey, which hasn’t played a game in more than two weeks, is behind Boston, the Flyers and Washington.

But that’s a problem for another day.

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— Ed Barkowitz (flyers@inquirer.com)

The construction of the rink for this weekend’s unique doubleheader in Lake Tahoe is rolling along like a Dustin Johnson birdie putt. Who actually plays in Sunday’s game is looking more like a Charles Barkley shot from the sand trap.

Derek King, who has one of the greatest jobs in the world as the NHL’s senior manager in charge of these types of events, said Monday that things are on schedule with building the rink in the middle of a golf course. There have been some weather challenges, but they’re in the mountains so that’s going to happen.

The boards are up and King is hoping to have the lines and logos installed by Tuesday night.

It would all sound so exciting if the Flyers didn’t have seven of their players on the COVID-19 list on Monday night. They’ve had a week’s worth of games wiped out, and Monday’s practice was canceled a half-hour before it was to start.

Throw in the facts that the pandemic has strangled the Grit out of us for the last year and optimism is in short supply. That’s what made Monday’s media Zoom call with King at least temporarily uplifting.

“I think this is going to be a true outdoor game,” he said. “It’s got that feel. We’re in the mountains up here. I think what’s pretty cool is you’re standing on the rink where we’re making ice and you look over the boards and there’s a lake there.”

The rink will be on the 18th fairway at Edgewood Tahoe Resort, which is on the south shore of Lake Tahoe. Bet there are a hundred balls in that drink just from Barkley, who plays in that celebrity tournament every summer.

Vegas will play Colorado on Saturday. The Flyers are scheduled to face Boston on Sunday.

There are reports the NHL would substitute the Rangers if the Flyers have an outbreak that leaves them short of players. This change would foul up the Capitals, who are slated to host the Rangers twice over the weekend. Washington already has had three games postponed.

The NHL could allow the Flyers to exceed the six-player taxi-squad limit, at least for this week.

There will be a game on Sunday. It just remains to be seen whether the Bruins will play the Flyers, the Rangers, or the Flyers with a heavy dose of players from the AHL’s Phantoms.

“This is a gorgeous spot,” King said cheerfully from Lake Tahoe. “I don’t get to make those decisions on where we go [for outdoor games], but this is probably the start of something really good. It’s definitely been exciting for our game.”

The way things have been going, watch it get rained out.

(Fingers crossed/knock on wood/prayers up)

Thursday: vs. Rangers, 7 p.m. (NBCSP)

Sunday: vs. Boston, at Lake Tahoe, 3 p.m. (NBC)

Wednesday, Feb. 24: vs. Rangers, 7 p.m. (NBCSN)

Saturday, Feb. 27: at Buffalo, 1 p.m. (NBCSP)

Sunday, Feb. 28: at Buffalo, 3 p.m. (NBCSP)

On Ron Hextall’s Flyers legacy in the wake of being hired as Pittsburgh Penguins general manager:

He traded players for draft picks which allowed him to accumulate cap space which he never used to his advantage. [Radko] Gudas was the only player received in a trade that played any significant time with the team. All of his UFA signings were inconsequential or busts except for JVR who was considered a bust by most before the last three weeks. The coach [Dave Hakstol] was a big miss and sticking with him compounded the mistake. The team never improved its regular-season record and never won a playoff series.

[Hextall] did hit with several picks which is what you should do when you have so many to play with. Those picks have improved the team moving forward but his overall performance was mixed at best. When he left, the outpouring of negativity from all corners was as bad as any I remember in any sport. Although stubborn, I do believe he is smart enough to learn from his mistakes which will bode well for Pittsburgh.

— Inquirer.com user djapana commenting on Mike Sielski’s column

Send questions or observations via Twitter to beat writers Ed Barkowitz (@EdBarkowitz) or Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull).