Flyers Daily: Crazy October in NHL

The Philadelphia Flyers are among the teams battling for first place in the Metropolitan Division. Who would have thunk it?

The Pittsburgh Penguins, who had been 4-0-1, were swept in all four games out West. Who would have expected that?

And the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche traveled East and, after beating the mighty New York Rangers in a shootout, lost in regulation to the New Jersey Devils and Islanders.

Welcome to the NHL, where Octobers are wacky, but November is when teams start showing which ones are for real and which ones are a mirage.

Right now, the Flyers have more wins than Colorado, which would be tied for seventh place if it was in the eight-team Metro.

Bizarre.

Around the NHL and National Hockey Now

Philly Hockey Now: There were lots of positives in the Flyers’ 4-3 overtime loss to Carolina. The injury-ravaged Flyers picked up a point, and they are off to a 5-2-1 start for the third straight season. They faded dramatically, of course, in each of the previous two years. Will they write a different story this season? Philadelphia Flyers.

Philly Hockey Now. Chris “Bundy” Therien was always been refreshingly candid when he played or was a broadcaster. That has carried over into his new book, written by Wayne Fish. If you want to be inspired, read “Road to Redemption,” a story about Therien’s battle with alcoholism and how he now helps others in a similar predicament. We ran an excerpt from Chapter 1. Philadelphia Flyers.

Philly Hockey Now: defenseman Cam York, 21, one of the Flyers’ top prospects, was injured in the Lehigh Valley Phantoms’ game in Hershey Sunday night. Philadelphia Flyers.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins had more turnovers than Termini’s, and it led to their fourth straight loss, this one to our old pal, Dave Hakstol, and Seattle. Pittsburgh Penguins.

Colorado Hockey Now: The defending champs are not playing well. Some notes from their 1-2 road trip. Colorado Avalanche.

Washington Hockey Now: Some of the kids stepped up in the Caps’ latest win. Washington Capitals.

New Jersey Devils. Don’t look now, but the surging Devils (6-3) are atop the Metro Division after firing 52 shots Sunday and wiping out Columbus, 7-1. The Flyers beat New Jersey on opening night. New Jersey Devils.

Florida Hockey Now: With lots of new players and a new coaching staff, Florida should be satisfied with its 5-3-1 October, writes George Richards.  Florida Panthers.

Detroit Hockey Now: Dylan Larkin is driving Detroit (4-2-2). Again. Detroit Red Wings.

New York Islanders Hockey Now: The Isles have gotten their act together. Consecutive wins over three heavyweights (Rangers, Carolina, Colorado) have steadied New York after a shaky start. New York Islanders.