Not even Kate Smith can help the Flyers these days. Any and every talisman available is being tried, but Philadelphia's finest just can't get over the hump. They are … 1-7? Yep.
Witness Thursday's latest thrashing, a 4-1 stumble against the rival Penguins. Denizens who directed catcalls and jeers at Sidney Crosby before the puck was dropped turned their leather lungs the Flyers' direction after the final horn.
Having already dumped Peter Laviolette, they are struggling with replacement Craig Berube behind the bench. Laviolette went 0-3; Berube is 1-4.
"We've got to start believing in each other, believing in ourselves, and going out and play hockey like we can," Berube said after the game.
At least the Flyers stayed competitive, but they were outplayed once again. They Flyers didn't attempt their first shot of the second period until 10½ minutes in.
"When you're only scoring one goal a game, it's tough to win hockey games," goalie Steve Mason said.
At least they ended a 0-for-18 nosedive on the power play.
Captain Claude Giroux faced the post-game media needing to explain his optimistic statements from earlier in the day. He still believes a season-changing game is at hand.
"Obviously, that's how I felt," Giroux said. "I think if we would have won that game, it would have been a big turning point. But it didn't happen."
Here's how bad things are for the punchless Flyboys: They have yet to score more than one goal in any game. Elias Sports Bureau says that impotence is exceeded only by the 1964 Bruins and their nine-game hibernation — at a time goals were few and far between.
Part of the problem is their inability to play a consistent game, something that was bedrock for the Flyers' forefathers.
"It's tough to win games when we (only) play one period like we can," forward Max Talbot told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "I think in the third, that's the kind of hockey we want to play. First and second, especially the second period, we didn't show up and we got some bad penalties as well again."
FIVE FOR MAX
Word came down Friday from NHL disciplinarians: Maxim Lapierre will miss five games under suspension for his dangerous boarding of the Sharks' Dan Boyle. Lapierre will forfeit $28,205.15, which goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
The incident in Tuesday's game saw Lapierre, in his first season with the Blues. Boyle was taken off the ice on a stretcher, spent time in a St. Louis and went back to San Jose for treatment.
In the video explaining the decision, NHL director of player safety Brendan Shanahan said that while Boyle indeed lost his balance, Lapierre targeted the Sharks defenseman's back.
"What's more, despite the fact that Boyle's stumble might have contributed to his vulnerability, the fact remains, if Lapierre doesn't hit him illegally in the numbers, Boyle's face does not crash violently into the boards," Shanahan said.
"While (Boyle's position) might mitigate some of the responsibility for the hit, it doesn't erase it entirely."
The decision doesn't bode well for Avalanche forward Cody McLeod, who similarly injured Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall on Thursday. Kronwall, like Boyle, had reversed the puck in the corners, and McLeod had a clear view of his numbers.
McLeod decided to follow Lapierre's path with a hearing in the NHL's headquarters to pleas his case. That face-to-face session will be held Tuesday.
Kronwill has a concussion and cuts from the incident.
ASTAIRE-ING CONTEST
Channeling their inner Kevin Bacon, the Sabres decided their only salvation in a crummy season start was to dance. So at Friday's practice, they cut footloose.
The Sabres are 1-7-1. Their fanbase is angry. Both coach Ron Rolston and GM Darcy Regier are facing questions about their job security.
Depending on your perspective, it's either time to lighten the mood or get serious. Rolson opted for the former; he had the team's rookies participate in a dance-off.
For the record, Thursday's 3-0 loss came on a strong game by Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo. And the Canucks are 6-1-1.
Speaking of angry fans, the Sabres were booed off the ice, shouts that later turned to chants calling for Regier's head. Regier declined comment after the game.
Rolston was left to admit the obvious. "If we don't play the right way, they're creating their own frustration," Rolston said. "So they've got to figure that out."
FASTH DECISION
The Ducks put Rob Laurie in goal for their morning skate before Friday's game against the Coyotes. Don't grab the program; you won't find Laurie listed. He is 43 and an emergency netminder only.
With backup goalie Viktor Fasth nursing a lower-body injury, the Ducks called Frederik Andersen from AHL Norfolk to back up starter Jonas Hiller.
Fasth, injured in practice Thursday, is "day-to-day," coach Bruce Boudreau said. "Everything's precautionary in this world."
So much for a fleeting moment of glory for Fasth. He shut out the Flames on Wednesday, making 33 saves. And Boudreau has good reason not to rush his aching backup back into action.
"We got so many games coming up, the last thing we need is somebody to get hurt bad," he told NHL.com. "If you miss a month, you're missing 19 games from here on in."
Contributing: Sean Gentille