Kevin Durso

To lose 10 games in a row in a season is really not as uncommon as it may seem. It’s actually happened four times already this season. Of course, two of those happen to be streaks belonging to the Flyers, the latest an ongoing streak that reached double-digits with Thursday’s 2-1 loss to Columbus. 

On one night, the Flyers made it a game late in the second, then had an early third-period goal dash their hopes. The next, they carried the play and took a lead into the late stages of the third before finding a way to lose another game.

The Flyers' streak hit eight games on Monday with the 4-1 loss on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Islanders are just starting to make up some ground in games played, and the distance between them and the Flyers is rapidly decreasing.

The law of averages essentially caught up to the Flyers. Out of the break, they were lucky to get a win in Seattle and stole a point in San Jose. Deservedly, they have nothing to show for a defeat that featured more sloppy play, more poor puck management, and continued lapses in defensive coverage.

The decision has been made to suspend the NHL season and advance the holiday break by two days. A game on Monday night between the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild took place, and the Tuesday games – Flyers vs. Capitals and Vegas vs. Tampa Bay – will also take place pending test results.

In the immediate, it was a move that had to happen. Something had to be done, and a coaching change is certainly an easier way than most to make a change. It’s far from the only change that needs to be made though.

The Flyers have fired head coach Alain Vigneault on Monday. Assistant coach Michel Therrien was also fired. Mike Yeo will take over as interim head coach.

Cam Atkinson's game-winner 45 seconds into overtime lifted the Flyers to a 2-1 win over the Flames at Wells Fargo Center.

Cam Atkinson capped off his second two-goal game of the season with the eventual game-winning goal at 4:18 of the third period in the Flyers 5-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers.

The Islanders struck for two goals in the first period and had a pair of power-play goals in the game to claim a 3-0 win over the Flyers.