The Flyers still have 21 games to play, a five-game homestand toward the end of this season, some good young players, plenty of opportunities.

Yet there they were Sunday not hinting that they were at a critical point of the season --- but saying so out loud.

“It doesn't take much to understand what's going on,” Simon Gagne said, after scoring a goal in a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.“You look at the standings. I think everyone came into the locker room today and looked at where we are at and how many games we have left. I'm not good in math, but if you look at it, we have to win games right now. And this game tonight was a must-win against a team that has struggled.”

 

Max Talbot, who scored the second Flyers goal, said about the same thing.

 

"They are all must-win games for us," he said.

 

Even before the game, when he made his choice of goaltenders public, Peter Laviolette said that the Flyers had to begin to "dig out" of their three-game losing streak.

 

The season is short, and so are some nerves. But the Flyers had a nice victory over Buffalo and are about to play a manageable portion of their schedule.

 

They should be concerned ... but they seem desperate.

 

Whatever works?

 

 

Check out my column on the situation in the Daily Times Monday and, as always, on delcotimes.com