Flyers face a 22-goal hole before heading to Calgary

The Flyers are 30th in the NHL through 18 games, and Rick Tocchet's team carries a minus-22 goal differential into Sunday at Calgary.

Thursday's 3-2 loss at the Rangers is the latest result, and it left Philadelphia at 4-10-4. That's 12 points and a two-game losing streak, with the season barely a month old.

The goals tell the story better than the record. The Flyers have scored 39 and allowed 61, a gap that has put them in a hole most teams don't dig out of by November.

They sit eighth in the Metropolitan Division, and only two teams in the entire league are below them.

Last 10 games? A 4-5-1 stretch. Not a collapse, but not a team that's found its footing either. Four wins in ten tries doesn't climb a table this tight.

The road is where the Flyers are bleeding

The home and road splits are lopsided. At home, the Flyers are 3-4-3, which is mediocre but survivable. On the road they are 1-6-1, and that's where the season is being lost.

One road win in eight tries. Daniel Briere's group has been competitive in stretches, but it can't close out games away from home, and the goal differential shows what happens when the early mistakes pile up.

Sunday's trip to Calgary is a real opening. The Flames are 7-8-1 and 24th in the NHL, and they've won only two of their eight road games. But they're 5-3-0 at home, so nobody should circle this one as a gimme.

What has to change is simple to say and hard to do. The Flyers need to stop chasing games, keep the goals against down early, and give Tocchet a road night where the lead isn't something they're scrambling to recover.

Twenty-two goals is a deep hole, and it won't shrink in one night. But a win in Calgary would at least start the argument that the road trip, and the season, can bend the other way.

Quick hits

LOS ANGELES KINGSAlex Turcotte has progressed back to "day-to-day," according to Zach Dooley, with Kevin Fiala not far behind. Peter Laviolette gave the update. Good news for a Kings lineup that wants its forwards back.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFSJonas Siegel reports John Tavares returns Saturday against the Canadiens, but as a winger. That's a notable change in role for a player who has been a fixture down the middle.

MINNESOTA WILDBrock Faber has spoken publicly for the first time since fracturing his skull, and Michael Russo and Joe Smith call his account striking. Worth a read for anyone who follows the Wild.

ST. LOUIS BLUESJeremy Rutherford reports the Blues have recalled Logan Mailloux from his conditioning assignment. He has joined the team ahead of the Nashville game.

DALLAS STARSGlen Gulutzan says Miro Heiskanen is doubtful to play against San Jose on Saturday. Losing him on the blue line would be a real hit for Dallas.