The Flyers have fired their coach and are buried at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division (13-22-8). Their 34 points are sixth-worst in the league, their -42 goal differential is third-worst, and they’ve just lost a franchise-record 13th straight game.
And yet, Tuesday’s defeat brought Philadelphia at least one moment of glory.
Defenseman Keith Yandle skated in his 965th consecutive regular-season game, surpassing Doug Jarvis for longest streak in NHL history. Only four players have ever played in 900-plus games in a row.
After playing with the Panthers for five seasons, Yandle signed a one-year, $900,000 free-agent deal with Philly prior to the 2021-22 campaign. Over 16 NHL seasons, Yandle has earned $61 million.
But the 35-year-old’s long-term NHL future is uncertain — and Yandle’s record may not last past next season with Arizona’s Phil Kessel just 24 games behind.