Fresh off the All-star break, the Philadlephia Flyers find themselves refreshed and back to playing much better Hockey. A five-game losing steak before the break has been flipped into a four-game win streak when the Flyers took down the Arizona Coyotes 5-3. Given the circumstances surrounding the last two games before the break, I personally didn’t put too much stock into the losing streak. Clearly things were shaky. Suffice to say it’s a bit of a shock whenever a member of your team is suddenly ripped away, the last two games the Flyers just looked lost and lifeless. The All-Star break could not have come at a better time for this team, nearly two weeks to clear their heads reset and get back after it. 32 games left. The hunt begins.
The Metro division is a tight race as it’s been all season, the Flyers weren’t the only team happy to rest their players. After 54 games the Flyers have 64 pts. The Islanders and Devils are trying to catch the Flyers at 56 points a piece, both with games in hand against Philly. The Devils have Jack Hughes back finally, and look to be a trade deadline goalie acquisition away from a serious threat. For the Islanders, their shut down defense style of play backed by elite goaltending are added scoring depth away from contending as well.
If the Flyers are to capitalize on their points lead, I’d like to see some players take a next step down the stretch. The offense has been scoring by committee for the bulk of the season, I’d love to see some of the guys feed off the confidence Owen Tippett, Travis Konecny and Morgan Frost seem to have at the moment.
In the four games since the break, Frost has 4 pts in 4 games, Konecny 7 in 4, Laughton 3 in 4, Tippett 2 in 4 Ryan Poehling 3 in 4. The Penalty kill continues to hold strong, with more goals shorthanded lately than with a man advantage. I don’t expect this team to suddenly find a way to score on the powerplay, but if the team is going to see any progress on that front these guys would be the one’s to do it.
Ersson is 3-0 since the break and looks to have regained his calm composure once more! Rough outings against Boston and Detroit were a mere blip on his otherwise phenomenal season. Ersson is the full time #1 starter moving forward, on his strength the team has a shot at winning every night. The newly promoted backup Cal Petersen has had an opportunity thrust his way. In his last two games, Petersen is 2-0 and looked very strong. If the Flyers coaching staff is able to have him regain even a semblance of who he was to earn that massive contract from LA, the Flyers will once again have a solid tandem.
All signs point to this team making their own destiny down the stretch. As I see it, they’re playing hockey the right way, creating a winning style of hockey by doing the little things right. This progress will only help further the rebuild as it goes on, experience is invaluable. There’s still plenty of high end talent still needed, but their on the way to success. 28 games left, sitting pretty in a playoff spot, the hunt is on. Let’s Go Flyers!
By: Anthony Spotts
photo credit: NHL.com
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