Bona fide No. 1 goalie makes Flyers legit contenders in NHL East Division

The NHL is employing an unbalanced schedule this season with teams playing only division games. This is the sixth in an eight-part series previewing the Penguins and the seven opponents they’ll face eight times apiece in the East Division.

Here is a little stat that should warm the cockles of a Penguins fan’s heart this holiday season.

The Philadelphia Flyers haven’t made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons since 2011-12. That’s so long ago, Jaromir Jagr was playing for the Flyers and was still in his 30s.

Every odd-numbered year since then, the Flyers have found themselves on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. Checking the calendar, yep, 2021 is an odd number.

Despite the fact that the Flyers won 41 games and finished second in the Metropolitan Division last season, there are reasons to think the odd-year futility streak might continue.

The defense corps could get messy. Matt Niskanen retired, and Ivan Provorov will have to show he can perform at a high level without him.

The forward group could get old. Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek are on the wrong side of 30.

Puck luck played a big role in the Flyers’ late-season surge. That could dry up.

But here are two words that should strike fear into that same Penguins fan’s heart: Carter Hart.

Hart is a 21-year-old bona fide No. 1 goalie who had a .926 save percentage in the playoffs.

How many times in the last 30 years would the Flyers have been a legitimate Cup contender if they just had championship-level goaltending? Hart gives them that.

And here’s another change of pace: The Flyers aren’t particularly hateable these days.

The closest thing they’ve got to a villain is Travis Konecny, and he is a great player who just happens to be a little mouthy.

You know who led the Flyers in penalty minutes last season? Teenager Joel Farabee with 39. Thirty-nine! In 1974-75, Dave Schultz averaged 39 penalty minutes per shift. (Warning: That stat is made up.)

A Flyers team with a real goalie and no meatheads? These truly are unprecedented times.

FLYERS AT A GLANCE

Last year: 41-21-7 (89 points)

vs. Penguins last year: 1-1-1

Matchup to watch: Shayne Gostisbehere hurt Kris Letang on a tackle during an outdoor game in March 2019. They’re probably not best buddies.

Key losses: Because Niskanen retired, the Flyers will need their young defensemen to step into more prominent roles. Former Penguins forward Derek Grant signed with Anaheim because that’s what he always does.

Key additions: Free-agent signee Erik Gustafsson has been a pretty decent puck-moving defenseman for Chicago the last few seasons. The Flyers also signed Derrick Pouliot to a two-way contract with a nifty $425,000 AHL salary.

What they’re saying: “It’s going to make for some interesting games. Playing the same team over and over again, eight times, there’s bound to be bad blood. There’s bound to be some big hits and big plays. There’s a lot of chance for some bad blood to turn over to the next game. Obviously, we’re going to get used to each other system-wise. Come third, fourth time we play each other, everyone’s going to know every play on the ice and the ins and outs of what systems they run.” — forward Kevin Hayes

Trophy contenders: Carter Hart (Vezina: 10-1), Ivan Provorov (Norris: 45-1), Sean Couturier (Hart: 65-1), Claude Giroux (Hart: 90-1),

Odds to win Stanley Cup: +1700

Odds to win division: +325

Smart money: This is a sound squad with an emerging franchise goalie, but a streak is a streak. Sorry, Flyers. You’re the odd men out.