Flyers' second line shows signs of life
Despite scoring the fewest goals in the NHL, the Flyers find themselves just four points out of a playoff spot and showing some positive signs - witness their first two-game winning streak in five weeks.
Despite scoring the fewest goals in the NHL, the Flyers find themselves just four points out of a playoff spot and showing some positive signs - witness their first two-game winning streak in five weeks.
But if they are going to stay in the playoff hunt, they might start by watching the video of Saturday's 3-0 victory over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
Specifically, they should view the last 40 minutes of their first regular-season victory in their last 11 games at the Garden.
The Flyers (9-10-5) were dominant over the last two periods, outshooting New York by a 30-14 margin; spending a majority of the time in the Rangers' defensive end; and making life easy for their goalie, Steve Mason.
"We've just got to keep that mentality in our head that we've had the last two games and all the positive stuff," winger Wayne Simmonds said after contributing three points in the impressive win.
Unlike in most games, the Flyers kept attacking with a one-goal lead heading into the third period - especially the line of Matt Read, Sean Couturier, and Simmonds.
If the Flyers are going to be relevant, they need more of the same from Couturier and company, a second line that had been mostly unproductive before Saturday's outburst.
Couturier ended a 12-game goalless streak with a third-period tally; Simmonds snapped a seven-game pointless streak with two goals and an assist; and Read halted a 10-game pointless skid, sending Simmonds away on a breakaway with a perfect pass. Read also had numerous scoring opportunities, and deflected Simmonds' first-period shot off the right post.
The trio combined for three goals and 11 shots in the win. They had combined for one point in their previous seven games.
"There's always ups and downs. There's always room for improvement that you hope for," said coach Dave Hakstol, whose team plays in Ottawa on Tuesday night. "Overall, that line's been pretty good. [Saturday] they had an impact offensively and did the other things they normally do."
The line was a combined minus-33 entering Saturday, but it was plus-7 in handing the Rangers their third consecutive defeat.
"The last 10 or 15 games we've been on our toes, playing good hockey," Read said. "Nothing has gone our way, but we talk every day, and we say: 'Just keep going, things are going to go our way.' "
Schultz out? The Flyers had no update on defenseman Nick Schultz, who was knocked out of Saturday's game when leveled by the Rangers' 6-foot-5, 220-pound Dylan McIlrath in the first period.
Breakaways. The Flyers have 23 points in 24 games - four more points than at a corresponding point last season, when they were 8-13-3. . . . The Flyers still have not won in regulation this season unless they have recorded a shutout. . . . Phantoms winger Petr Straka went into Sunday with 14 goals, second in the AHL.
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