SCORES & REVIEWS
12/14 at EDM The Flyers took on the Oilers without their fearless leader Brandon Manning for the first time. In a status quo effort from the apathetic Flyers, they got lit up by Connor McDavid as they lost 4-1 in what was Hakstol’s penultimate game.
12/15 at VAN In Dave Hakstol’s last game as the Flyers head coach, the Flyers put on another stinker against the Canucks. Stolarz got the start, even though Alex Lyon was announced the starter earlier in the day. Stolarz allowed two goals before leaving the game with an injury. Lyon didn’t fair much better as he allowed two goals and the Flyers took another lifeless 5-2 loss to Vancouver.
12/18 vs DET In a game full of debuts, Scott Gordon coached his first game as a Flyer, and prized prospect Carter Hart took his throne in net. While the game itself was nothing special, Hart looked solid. James Van Riemsdyk and Shayne Gostisbehere both scored goals to break their slump in a 3-2 win.
12/20 vs NSH The Flyers new era continued its impressive early start as they hung on and beat the Preds 2-1. The Flyers penalty kill was at 100% killing off a remarkable six penalties. The team had an impressive 24 blocked shots compared to the Predators six.
FLYERS NEWS AND NOTES
The Flyers relieved head coach Dave Hasktol of his duties Monday afternoon after an 0-3-1 stretch and a 12-15-4 start to the season.
Phantoms head coach Scott Gordon was promoted to the Flyers head coach on an interim basis.
Phantoms assistant coach Kerry Huffman was promoted to acting head coach in Lehigh Valley.
Kjell Samuelsson was named an assistant coach for the Phantoms during the transition phase.
Carter Hart is tied with Kari Lehtonen for seventh as the youngest goaltender to win his first two career starts.
AROUND THE NHL
Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford was diagnosed with a concussion. He missed the last 47 games of the 2017-18 season and the first five this season dealing with lingering concussion issues.
STUDS & DUDS
Studs
Scott Laughton– Laughton continues to be one of the better Flyers this season and that paid off with a beauty of a goal against the Canucks.
Carter Hart- Making his NHL debut at the ripe age of 20, Hart was able to win his first two NHL games in impressive fashion. who knows what the future holds, but he is certainly living up to his hype early on.
Travis Sanheim– Sanheim played well most of the season in the limited minutes Hakstol would give him. Now with Scott Gordon in charge he finds himself on the top line and seeing special teams time as well. Sanheim’s stock is on the rise and should be considered a prime breakout candidate through the second half of the season.
Duds
Dave Hakstol– Given the life Scott Gordon and Carter Hart have pumped into this team, it is becoming more and more clear that Hakstol far overstayed his welcome. Good riddance, Hak.
BEST PLAYER OF ALL TIME OF THE WEEK
Laughton scored no doubt the prettiest goal of his career.
SAMUEL MORIN TRACKER
Morin skated before the rest of the team on Tuesday morning.
WINS UNTIL CARTER HART PASSES MARTIN BRODEUR
690
FUN FACT OF THE WEEK
The Flyers have a winning record against 25 teams in the league. The only teams they have a losing record against are the Bruins, Ducks, Sharks, and Canadiens. They are at a .500 stalemate with the Blue Jackets and the Golden Knights.
By: Dan Esche (@DanTheFlyeraFan)
brotherlypuck.com 