The Daily: Flyers Playoff Hopes Melting Down; Rantanen Hurt

The Philadelphia Flyers are watching their Eastern Conference playoff hope self-destruct. New goalie Ivan Fedotov wasn’t sharp and the Flyers made too many mistakes in Friday’s 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.

Coach John Tortorella’s Flyers have lost six in a row.

The Flyers still have a one-point lead for the final Eastern Conference wildcard spot. But with only five games remaining and the team not playing well, the Flyers will have difficulty holding that lead.

With Philadelphia desperate for goals, Tortorella only used skilled Joel Farabee just over seven minutes in the game.

“The Flyers out-attempted Buffalo 12-4 in those seven minutes,” Philadelphia Hockey Now’s Jonathan Bailey wrote. ” Oh, and the scoring chances were 8-0 in favor of the Flyers during that period. 75% of the Flyers’ shots with Farabee on the ice were scoring chances, and yet he played seven minutes at 5-on-5. It’s becoming increasingly clear who head coach John Tortorella has an axe to grind with. ”

Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella meets with the media following #PHIvsBUF. pic.twitter.com/fTgQru6VdC

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) April 6, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Defenseman Simon Edvinsson is plus-3 in his last two games, continuing to show why he will be a 20-plus minute defenseman for the Red Wings next season.
• A bad third period penalty by David Perron had consequences in the Red Wings’ 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers Friday.
• Detroit’s ‘Lyon King’ is giving the Red Wings a chance to earn the Eastern Conference wildcard spot.
• The Grand Rapids Griffins have added some prospects down the stretch to give them a taste of the American Hockey League.

Red Wings Next Game

With only six games remaining in the season, the Red Wings badly need to beat the Buffalo Sabres Sunday at 1 p.m. Detroit is 2-1 against the Sabres this season. The Red Wings beat them 4-1 three weeks ago at Little Caesars Arena. The Sabres have been playing well of late, winning three of their last four.

Hockey Now Network

Colorado: The Colorado Avalanche lost forward Mikko Rantanen to an upper body injury. Evan Rawal has the details.

Florida: Paul Maurice talks about why he really enjoys coaching the Florida Panthers.

New Jersey: The Devils are likely to lose an unsigned college draftee to free agency. James Nichols has the details. New Jersey Devils.

Pittsburgh: The Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t do anything, but their playoff chances improved Friday night. Dave Molinari has the details of how other wildcard contenders lost.

San Jose: Sheng Peng has the details on why college hockey’s top free agent prize signed with San Jose Sharks.