Flyers' Manning steps up, with Gostisbehere's help

Shayne Gostisbehere has not only helped the Flyers pick up three points in the two games he has played, but he seems to have brought out the best in his defensive partner, Brandon Manning.

Manning, who struggled in the season's first month, has played two strong games since paired with Gostisbehere. The two also were paired together for four games last season with the Phantoms before Gostisbehere suffered a season-ending knee injury.

"We're definitely getting more comfortable together," said Gostisbehere, one of 11 players to take part in an optional practice Wednesday in Voorhees. "He's been helping me a lot with the systems here. We've been building each other up. Whether we have an OK shift or a good shift, we let each other know. If the other person does something good, you let him know.

"We support each other, and it's a good partnership right now."

Coach Dave Hakstol, whose 6-8-4 team hosts San Jose (10-8) on Thursday, said he paired Gostisbehere and Manning because they're a "pretty good combination when you look at the different types of players they are. I think Brandon adds that level of stability for Ghost, being a young guy and especially being a guy who looks to get up ice a little bit."

In the last two games, Manning is plus-1 and has an assist and eight shot attempts.

"For a little while there, Brandon was in and out of the lineup and there wasn't a lot of rhythm to his game," Hakstol said. "Whether it's a coincidence or not, there seems to be some good chemistry and good rhythm to his game the last couple nights."

Manning credits Gostisbehere.

"He's really an easy player to play with, and he's going to be a really good NHL player," Manning said. "He makes a play when he can and that makes it easy on me because you spend a little more time in the O zone. He skates so well that it helps both of us out."

Gostisbehere plays with a daring flair that Manning says is contagious.

"You see the play he made in Carolina - that's a premier play," Manning said of Gostisbehere's deft move at the blue line that set up a late game-tying goal by Wayne Simmonds. "You see guys start doing that and other guys start getting a jump in their step."

The recent promotions of Gostisbehere and left winger Taylor Leier from the Phantoms "shakes things up and keeps guys on their toes," Manning said. "So far, so good."

Breakaways. Backup goalie Michal Neuvirth practiced Wednesday and is available to play Thursday. Anthony Stolarz was sent back to the Phantoms. . . . Evgeny Medvedev, a healthy scratch the last two games, lost a tooth when hit by a stick in practice earlier this week; he said he has lost nine teeth in his hockey career. . . . Injured winger R.J. Umberger will miss his fourth straight game Thursday. . . . Joe Paveski leads the Sharks with 10 goals and 18 points.

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