Carter shines for Flyers in mixed first quarter of season
Carter shines for Flyers in mixed first quarter of season
Most NHL coaches like to think of the season in quarter segments, and last night was the end of the first one for the Flyers.
So what surprises, good and bad, did it bring for John Stevens? Well, the most obvious were the poor start and the number of injuries, but almost as much of a surprise to Stevens has been the play of Jeff Carter.
YONG KIM / Staff photographer
Flyers' Mike Knuble beats Dallas goalie Marty Turco, and two other Stars, for goal in first period.
"We hoped he would emerge and take it to another level and it looks like he is starting to do that," Stevens said. Going into last night, Carter, 23, was second in the league in goals scored and has been one of the team's best defensive forwards.
Stevens said he expected Carter to work hard through the summer, but he was pleasantly surprised when Carter came into camp.
"He did a lot of things. He's in the best shape of his life. He's bigger, stronger, faster, quicker, he's put on size and didn't lose any speed. He plays with more emotion, and he's more mature.
"He started to develop his two-way game last year and he's just carried it into this year," Stevens said. "He's creating all kinds of offensive opportunities, but he's asked to have a checking assignment most nights.
"To Jeff's credit he's welcomed those responsibilities and he's got a skill set that can capitalize when he's on the ice with people and they turn pucks over."
The biggest disappointment, of course, was the Flyers' start. It took six games before they got a win.
"The disappointment maybe would be the way we started," Stevens said. "I don't think we were too far in winning games, but a good start can carry you a long way. It's pleasing to see that we were able to right the ship and turn tight losses into wins and got ourselves right back in the hunt."
Niittymaki to play?
The way goaltender Marty Biron has been playing lately, it is no wonder that Antero Niittymaki has not been in net since Nov. 16 against Atlanta, his only appearance in the last eight games, including last night's.
Stevens said yesterday that he planned on getting Niittymaki a game sometime this week.
"The plan this week is we have a lot of games so we are going to get Niittymaki back in the net this week. [Niittymaki] has played well, but [Biron] has clearly taken the reins and looks as confident as he ever has.
"He's been a big reason for our run of success lately," the coach said.
Stevens noted, however, that Biron has been getting a lot of help from the team in front of him.
"Our whole team defense has been better. Our special teams have been strong, both power play and penalty kill, and we're limiting the amount of chances we have been giving our opponents right now, which was a big concern earlier in the year." *
