While the Philadelphia Flyers have a rich history, it isn’t easy to see them making the playoffs in 2022-23. They have been in a bit of a slump over the past two seasons, and there’s no indication it will change this year. The team hasn’t made the playoffs consistently over the past decade, making it a tough ask for them to make a postseason run this year, and one that’s unlikely to see much action from NHL betting fans.
Kevin Hayes is perhaps the player to watch on the team, as he’s been racking up a respectable number of points in the 2022-23 season. Meanwhile, Travis Konecny is taking on the role of leading goal scorer, while the likes of Ivan Provorov and Owen Tippett are also contributing assists and goals.
In the net, Carter Hart is saving over 90% of attempts, however it might not be enough to offset a lack of goals at the other end of the rink that the Flyers will need to address if they want to progress this year.
The Flyers failed to extend their campaign beyond the regular season over the last two years. They won just 25 games in 2020-21 and 2021-22. They have been somewhat inconsistent in making the playoffs since 2012, when they reached the conference semis.
They’ve had three first-round exits and a second-round elimination throughout that stretch. Before that, the Flyers missed the playoffs just one time from 1994 to 2012.
The Flyers haven’t had a playoff spot since the 2019-20 season, when they went out in the second round against the New York Islanders.
The Flyers franchise was established in 1967 and started participating in the NHL in the same year. They are also known as the Broad Street Bullies because they’ve played their home games in various locations on said road. The Flyers are second behind the St. Louis Blues for most playoff appearances by an expansion franchise.
They’ve parlayed those postseason berths into eight conference titles and two Stanley Cups victories, which they clinched in 1974 and 1975. The Flyers also have 16 division titles, the latest of which came in 2010-11. The Lehigh Valley Phantoms and the Reading Royals are their minor league affiliates.
The Flyers play their home games at Wells Fargo Center, a venue they share with the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the NCAA’s Villanova Wildcats. The arena opened in 1996 and can accommodate up to 20,306 hockey spectators. The stadium’s former names include CoreStates Center, First Union Center, and Wachovia Center.
Philadelphia sports fans have a penchant for being loud and rowdy, and usually do not manifest a welcoming atmosphere to visiting teams.
The Flyers have established a few heated rivalries over the years. Since Philadelphia and New York sports fans have a long-standing feud, the Flyers have intense matches against the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders.
The Flyers-Rangers rivalry is one of the most storied contests in NHL history. They’ve met in the Stanley Cup playoffs 11 times, with the Flyers winning six. They also lead the all-time series, 166-153-37-11. However, the Rangers have won their last two matchups.
The Flyers are also rivals with the New Jersey Devils in a feud widely known as the Battle of the Turnpikes. The Devils lead the all-time series, 131-101-15-8, but they’ve evenly split their 28 postseason matchups. The Flyers are also rivals with the Pittsburgh Penguins, given they both represent Pennsylvania.
Finally, the Flyers have an ongoing rivalry with the Washington Capitals, which peaked during the 1980s. The Flyers lead their all-time series, 135-101-19-11, but the Capitals have a 16-14 advantage in their postseason games. Their last playoff matchup came in 2020, with the Flyers winning in four games.
