The enigmatic Flyers could still finish first, but seven losses in their last eight games make it more likely they will miss the playoffs than climb atop the Metropolitan Division.
With 11 games left, the Flyers are tied for third with Columbus with 81 points. Realistically, there are four teams fighting for the final three playoff spots – the Flyers, Columbus, New Jersey (80 points, game in hand) and Florida (77 points, three games in hand).
The Flyers’ tailspin has followed a stretch in which they went 10-0-2 and briefly moved into first place.
“We’ve talked about being consistent, and we’re doing the exact opposite,” defenseman Radko Gudas said after practice Friday in Voorhees.