Flyers at San Jose: Sharks Sinking; How to Watch, Prediction, Stats

Do you know the way to (win) San Jose?

So far, the answer has been a resounding “no.”

Eleven games. Eleven losses.

If the Sharks (0-10-1) lose Tuesday against the visiting Philadelphia Flyers, they will set a modern-day (post 1950) NHL record for losses at the start of a season. The 1943-44 New York Rangers were winless in their first 15 games (0-14-1).

Perhaps even more boggling: The Sharks have been outscored by a 55-12 margin.

Oh, and they have lost their last two games, 10-1, and 10-2.

And they have the worst puck possession in the NHL , with a Corsi Percentage of 38.97.

So you can understand why even a team with a losing record — that would be your 5-6-1 Philadelphia Flyers — are heavily favored.

PHN: Help Arriving for Skidding Flyers

Flyers coach John Tortorella was asked by reporters if there was danger in looking past the Sharks, if this could be a “trap” game.

“We shouldn’t be able to spell trap game,” he replied.

Smells like a coaching change is in the works. #Flyers play in San Jose (0-10-1) on Tuesday. https://t.co/hx3yJVyF1n

— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) November 6, 2023

Sharks coach David Quinn can only shake his head at his team’s ineptness.

“We’re just not a mentally tough group right now,” he said after Saturday’s 10-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

San Jose forward Anthony Duclair noted another problem with the team.

“Nobody is pissed off right now,” he said. “… We’re losing way too many battles. It’s way too easy for the opposing team coming in here.”

The Philadelphia Flyers hope to make that trend continue.

Key players

Flyers: Travis Konecny paces the team in goals (nine) and points (12), and defenseman Travis Sanheim is the leader in assists (nine.) Joel Farabee has four points (two goals, two assists) over his last five games.

Sharks: Tomas Hertl leads the Sharks with seven points but is minus-12, and Fabian Zetterlund (minus-9) has a team-high three goals. By comparison, the Flyers have seven players with seven or more points, and four players with three or more goals.

Noteworthy numbers

San Jose is last in the NHL in goals scored per game (1.09) and goals allowed (4.91). The Flyers are 19th in the league in both categories, averaging 3.08 goals and allowing 3.25 per game.

How to watch

The 10:30 p.m. game is on NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Prediction

Flyers 4, Sharks 2.

Breakaways

Goalie Sam Ersson will get the call for the Philadelphia Flyers as Carter Hart is not ready to return from an injury. Center Sean Couturier will return to the lineup. … Morgan Frost will be benched for the seventh time in 13 games. He had 19 goals last season and was the Flyers’ leading scorer with 40 points over the last 55 games …. Since the start of last season, San Jose is 0-11-4 when it plays before a sellout crowd at home.

5 Takeaways on Flyers’ Start: Surprises, Disappointments and More