Connor Clifton, Boston Bruins and Joel Farabee, Philadelphia Flyers (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Before the NHL’s COVID-hiatus set in last March, the Philadelphia Flyers were the hottest team on the planet. They were cycling pucks with ease in the offensive zone, putting up more goals than all but five teams, stifling opponents’ shot attempts better than any team in the league, and getting key saves from their goalies when called upon.
Once the playoffs started, however, the team looked different. All of a sudden, they found themselves perpetually pinned down in their own zone, surrendering loads of high-quality scoring looks, and having a hard time generating any of their own.