PhHN Daily: Flyers Moving Closer to a Better Draft Pick

The Philadelphia Flyers were shut out for the second straight game on Monday. After a 5-0 shutout loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, Philly was held scoreless in a 2-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday.

The Flyers have now gone 140:59 without scoring a goal–their worst this season is 182:27. It’s sad that there have been two stretches this season where the Flyers have been shut out multiple games in a row.

However, in the darkness, there is a light. The Flyers are moving closer to a better draft selection and are closing in on the Kraken at the fifth-worst record, and even the Sabres are fourth-worst.

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Flyers Pick Watch

Again, it’s important to note that the standings don’t mean everything when it comes to the draft. There is a lottery system, and teams usually find a way to get lucky or unlucky.

With that said, where you fall in the standings does carry lots of weight as far as the draft order and lottery odds. The Flyers are moving closer and closer to the top five, and maybe even higher.

Last night, the Buffalo Sabres took the Boston Bruins to overtime and won. Now, Buffalo is just four points below the Flyers for the fourth-worst hockey record, with two games remaining between the two teams.

The last time I wrote a pick watch, it seemed nearly impossible for the Flyers to reach the Sabres in the standings. Now, that is not the case. That fourth spot is completely within reach now. Obviously, four points is not the easiest gap to close in on–you need to pray that when the Sabres win, the Flyers lose. It goes the same when trying to close a playoff gap, too.

The Flyers are still sixth but now are just one point ahead of the Kraken. With a winnable matchup on Tuesday, the Kraken may be poised to jump the Flyers in the standings, giving Philly a better chance at the No. 5-overall pick.

Read More: What are the Flyers Getting with Nikita Grebenkin?

Here is Tuesday’s Pick Watch Slate

Only three teams ahead of the Flyers in the potential draft order play on Tuesday–and two of them play each other.

The Kraken and the Blackhawks face off in some bottom-of-the-barrel action. If you’re rooting for a better Flyers draft pick, you are a Kraken fan Tuesday night. There is no catching Chicago at No. 2; it’s nearly impossible. Instead, you’d be rooting for a Kraken win, so they jump the Flyers in points, moving Philly further up the potential draft order.

The Flyers need the Penguins to continue their hot streak and grow the separation between the two teams. The Anaheim Ducks are also right in that group. However, an unfavorable matchup against the Dallas Stars may not turn in the pick-watch results.

The Predators may be closer than they appear at No. 3 overall as well. The Flyers are now six points out. If a four-point gap is tough, six is even harder. It may not be likely but never say never. The Preds take on a St. Louis Blues team fighting for a playoff spot. The result there could be telling. If the Predators walk away with two points Tuesday night, maybe the Flyers can close the gap between them. If not, it only makes it harder.

NHL TRADE TALK, NEWS, & NATIONAL HOCKEY NOW

Vegas Hockey Now: Vegas Hockey Now’s Hannah Kirkell updated her Western Conference power rankings. Though the Flyers aren’t in the West, they are certainly competing with Western Conference teams for a better draft pick. Check out Hannah’s rankings and see where those competitors lay.

Colorado Hockey Now: Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog is skating again at the Avs practice, ramping up towards an NHL return. Landeskog has not played in an NHL game since June 26th, 2022. He has been recovering from a knee injury that required cartilage replacement surgery. Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now takes us through Landeskog’s return to practice.

Boston Hockey Now: Remember how I mentioned that Sabres overtime win? Well, Boston Hockey Now’s Andrew Fantucchio takes you through the loss from a Bruins perspective.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Pens are not dead yet. Pittsburgh Hockey Now’s Dave Molinari writes that the team has not given up yet. Despite making the playoffs seeming like a distant stretch, the Penguins room is feeling the highs of a timely win streak.

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