Flyers Struggling To Find “Motivation” As Season Winds Down

As the horn sounded Sunday night at the Wells Fargo Center, the Philadelphia Flyers were in search of answers.

Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Sabres marked the Flyers 5th straight loss. Their 4th losing streak of 5+ games this season.

In the final games of a loss of a season, the Flyers are struggling to play as a team.

“We are not working as a unit,” Konecny said post-game on Saturday. “It’s on us to fix it.”

The Flyers had every chance to proof there is still motivation in the locker room on Sunday. Getting a chance to avenge Saturday’s loss in less than 24-hours after blowing two leads in Buffalo.

However, it was much of the same for the Flyers on Sunday. Leading to more strong comments by players post-game.

“There should be motivation, it’s the NHL,” Hayes said post-game on Sunday. “We get paid millions of dollars to show up and perform at our job. And if you can’t find motivation, you shouldn’t be on the ice.”

Hayes’s frustration and disappoint boiled over after Sunday’s loss. Leading to the very strong & telling remarks post-game.

This sediment was also voiced by Hayes’s line-mate Noah Cates.

“Just trying to have the energy or the swagger and what not that winning teams have and expecting to win,” Cates said after the Flyers 5-3 loss to Buffalo on Sunday. “It is kinda hard as a younger guy to say some stuff or what not, so I am just trying to play the best I can in the time I have got; think I just have to keep playing hard and chipping away.”

Cates did note that “there are obviously great leaders in that room that are doing the same thing. There are so many good guys in that locker room that want to win and it is just frustrating that we are not. A little extra effort here and there will get it done.”

As the season winds down, frustration will continue to boil over for the Flyers. But, as the clock turns toward next year, it will reveal the start of the Flyers new leadership group. Which, seems already to have some pretty good voices leading the way.

PHOTO CREDIT: Len Redkoles – Getty Images