NHL scores 2017: The scoring woes continue for the Flyers with no end in sight

The Philadelphia Flyers seem far, far away from their 10-game winning streak. Yes, remember that? Back in late November, the Flyers — and the rest of the Metropolitan Division — went on a tear. On Dec. 17, the streak ended.

The Flyers’ win total since then? Just nine. In 28 games.

Wednesday was yet another frustrating loss for Philadelphia, this one a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Capitals. Two goals were called off, one for goaltender interference and the other a puck that was originally celebrated as a goal before replay caught the puck hitting the crossbar only.

During this slump, the Flyers offense has run as cold as the ice they skate on. Their big names in Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek, and Brayden Schenn are struggling to score. Philadelphia’s shooting percentage remains in the NHL’s basement at 8.1 percent. While their goaltending has stabilized somewhat, the Flyers can’t win if they can’t score. And they haven’t been able to do much of either lately.

The slide has them three points out of a wild card spot, but who only knows where they would be had they not rattled off 10 wins to keep pace with the Metro. And with 22 games left in the season, the Flyers are running out of time to find their scoring.

Oilers 4, Panthers 3
Capitals 4, Flyers 1
Ducks 5, Bruins 3

1. Kris Russell actually had a positive impact for the Oilers

Yes, that Kris Russell. The one maligned by stats people. In fact, Russell scored the game winner for the Oilers in their 4-3 victory over the Panthers. We’re just as surprised as you are honestly, though really a lot of the credit goes to Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl for getting the play rolling down the ice.

The goal was Russell’s first as an Oiler, and his first goal in over a year. No wonder he’s on the trade block in Edmonton.

2. Capitals fans have no reason to worry about Evgeny Kuznetsov

Washington’s explosive center has had a down year by his standards. With 47 points in 59 games, people started to worry just a bit about Kuznetsov, who was five points off a point-per-game pace last year. But not to worry, Capitals fans. Kuznetsov had a pair of goals in the 4-1 victory over the Flyers on Wednesday, propelling them to victory over their Metropolitan Division rivals.

3. Jonathan Bernier was on his game

With John Gibson out because of a lower-body injury, Bernier suited up for the Ducks and won them a pretty important game.

He also made quite the stop on Patrice Bergeron, among a few other hair-raisers on Wednesday.

Good backups can steal games for teams, and Bernier did just that for Anaheim.

A late-third-period tap-in goal from Rickard Rakell gave the Ducks the 4-3 victory over Boston.