The Flyers are currently tied for third place in the Atlantic Division with 55 points based on their 26-22-3 record, and amidst a 7-3 run in their last ten games. As a team that was projected as a Stanley Cup contender, Philadelphia is moving up in the division, and tied for sixth in the Eastern Conference.

At the beginning of January, the Flyers are pretty much an ordinary team – with records of 9-9-2 at home and 10-10-1 on the road, but the 7-3 streak has raised them just above ordinary. They have moved up from the middle of the pack in the NHL in goals per game to 5th, and jumped from 18th to 11th in goals allowed per game. In other words, the previously extraordinarily ordinary Philadelphia Flyers are seemingly turning things around and have become more than just ordinary so far in the second half of the season.

If the Flyers can keep moving in this direction, the second half of the season, and the playoffs, could be very interesting in Philly. In order to do so, the team will need to rely on the strength and leadership of center Mike Richards (41 points – 20 goals, 21 assists), team points and goals leader, center Jeff Carter (46 points, 22 goals), defenseman Chris Pronger (37 points – 8 goals, 29 assists, +20 plus/minus), and solid goaltending from Ray Emery (14.10 and 2.75 GAA) if they truly wish to continue to improve and be more than ordinary.

One look at the Flyers’ roster might paint a picture of a team that would have a much better record, but games are played on ice, not on paper, and they seem to be right where they deserve to be, although improving, at this point of the season. Philly needs to realize that, and not give up playing like one of the top teams in the NHL. Instead of settling for ordinary, as in the first half of the season, the Flyers need to regroup and play to their potential throughout the second half of the season. Fans need to get their Philadelphia Flyers tickets now, and be there when their team continues to improve into serious playoff contenders.