The Philadelphia Flyers, who faced off for most of March, knew they already had a tough battle to regain their form early in the season and return to the playoff position.
The hill looks even bigger now.
The New York Rangers, inconsistent for most of the season, woke up significantly Wednesday night and stepped on the Flyers 9-0 at Madison Square Garden, humiliating a rival and their former coach, Alain Vigneault.
“I couldn’t defend and I couldn’t make a play,” Vigneault said. “I’m really embarrassed.”
The Flyers watched essentially as Mika Zibanejad tied an NHL record with six points, including three goals, in a period, while the Rangers achieved their biggest margin of victory since 1986. And they did so without their body. full-time technician behind the bench. due to COVID-19 protocols.
“It’s a shame to be playing on this ice tonight, the way we played. We didn’t help our goalkeepers at all,” Flyers captain Claude Giroux said. “I mean, there aren’t many words to say. We know we have to wake up and the good thing is we have a game [Thursday]. Therefore, we must respond [then]. “
Brian Elliott allowed five goals in 13 shots, and Carter Hart allowed four more in 16 shots, as the Rangers scored seven in the second period alone.
“Obviously we talked about it a bit after the game, but everyone knows it’s not acceptable,” Giroux said, “and there needs to be an answer.”
On Thursday, the Flyers will face the New York Islanders.
“We certainly weren’t good tonight,” Vigneault said. “We’ll get to Long Island here and get ready.”
Philadelphia has just six points in its nine games played this month. And the team that won three of four to open the season and had a four-win streak in January, is now three points behind the Boston Bruins for the playoff spot in the Eastern Division.