There’s no one reason why the Flyers have had so much trouble winning hockey games this season, especially one-goal affairs.
You can point to a number of reasons why the Flyers are just 14-10-13 in games decided by a single goal.
Think about this: the Flyers have lost 23 one-goal games (regulation and overtime). Of a possible 46 additional points, they have just 13.
One tangible stands out: the dramatic drop-off in team scoring. It’s reflected in the Flyers’ minus-19 goal differential.
The Flyers had seven 20-goal scorers last season and have just two this season -- Wayne Simmonds (26) and Jakub Voracek (20).
They averaged 2.84 goals last season versus 2.57 this season.
General manager Ron Hextall said the problem is digging deeper inside to find out why it happened with essentially the same personnel.
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“Some of the production from guys is down,” Hextall said. “That is something we have to find a way to crack. Fitness level has got to be better. The fit on certain lines has got to be better. We’ll look at everything when the season is over. Figure out where we can get better and go from there. It’s easy just to say, ‘All we have to do is score more goals.’
“But again, it’s about the differential. You go to look at every aspect. Maybe we’re not scoring goals because we’re not getting the puck in certain areas or guys aren’t going to certain areas. Defense isn't moving the puck well enough. Forwards aren’t receiving the puck.
“A lot of things can go wrong. It’s only a few goals here and there that make a difference. I always say that the easiest thing to do is improve from within. If you’re not looking to improve from within, then none of us are doing our jobs.”
Three 20-goal guys from last season -- Brayden Schenn (20), Matt Read (22) and Vinny Lecavalier (20) -- have fallen off this year. They have a combined 25 goals among them this season.
Sean Couturier was not a 20-goal guy, but Hextall told him last summer he expected more offense from him. He has 13 goals, the same as last year.
“We’re not finishing, not executing -- especially me,” Couturier said. “I’ve been having a lot of quality scoring chances lately and haven’t been finishing … I think all year we’ve been through stretches where we’re not executing, we’re not finishing. It’s not always about competing.”
Flyer captain Claude Giroux scored 28 last year and has 18, but should finish over 20.
“Offensively, I think we need to do a better job of the little things,” coach Craig Berube said. “I think we can shoot the puck more and get to the net more.
“A lot of the guys that aren't up to standards where they should be, it's about getting to the net more and getting to the dirty goals around the net. That's a lot of goals; that's where they come from. You're going to get your rush chances and they have.
“I look at the season and off the rush we have had lots of chances where we didn't execute or a shot missed the net ... but it's the grinding goals.”
The Flyers have not gotten into the “dirty” areas enough this season to score goals.
“I do believe we’ve left some goals on the table this year,” Hextall said. “Sometimes, I don’t think we’re hungry enough around the net.
“A few games ago, there was a puck right in the crease -- I won’t say who it was -- but one of our guys is just standing there. If they’re hungry to score, that puck’s in the net. That’s what makes a difference.”
There are 14 games left in the season. Nothing is going to change the Flyers’ goal-scoring woes around.
Hextall was quick to mention that Berube’s system, which emphasizes defense to create offense, is not at the root of the goal-scoring drought.
“No, I don’t think it is the system,” he said. “It’s not really goals for or goals against. It’s a combination. There’s certain systems that will allow you to score a lot of goals. You’re also going to give up a lot of goals.
“It’s really the differential you are looking at. That is how you win games. I don’t think you can just look at that part of it and say, ‘That is detrimental.’ You have to look at the other part as well. They obviously go together.
“The more wide open system you play, the more goals you are going to score. Typically, the more goals you are going to give up. I don’t think you can blame the system.”
So what is it?
“You can look at a lot of things,” Hextall said. “We need more from some guys.”