Is Flyers' statue new good-luck charm?
WINNIPEG, Manitoba: Move over, Kate Smith. The Flyers appear to have a new good-luck charm.
The Flyers are 4-0 since they unveiled the statue of Bobby Clarke and Bernie Parent a week ago, defeating Boston, Washington, Montreal and Toronto; four teams now in playoff positions in the Eastern Conference.
OK, the streak probably has more to do with the desperation level than anything else.
That said, if the streak continues it wouldn't be surprising if photos of the statue are soon shown on the scoreboard before home games.
As for Kate, she is in a slump.
According to Flyershistory.com, the Flyers are 92-28-4 when Kate's "God Bless America" is played before games, but just 5-5 in the previous two seasons. They have not played the recording this year.
Flyers-Jets. The Flyers, who are three points out of a playoff spot, face the Jets in Winnipeg Saturday at 3 p.m.
Will coach Peter Laviolette give Ilya Bryzgalov his 22d straight start or allow Steve Mason to make his Flyers debut?
The Flyers have the NHL's second-best power play (23.7 percent success rate), while the Jets have the league's second-worst (12.9 percent). The Flyers also have a much better penalty kill (seventh; 84.4 percent) than Winnipeg (25th; 77.8 percent).
Breakaways. Jake Voracek has 13 goals in his last 20 games….Defensive partners Luke Schenn (6) and Oliver Lauridsen (4) combined for 10 hits in Thursday's 5-3 win in Toronto….The Flyers did not practice on Friday….Winnipeg's Dustin Byfuglien had been moved to forward in the last two games, but he will return to defense Saturday.
Contact Sam Carchidi at scarchidi@phillynews.com. Follow on Twitter @BroadStBull.