Provorov, Konecny continue to impress in preseason loss
The Flyers have three preseason games remaining and it may take general manager Ron Hextall that long before he decides whether speedy winger Travis Konency and/or defenseman Ivan Provorov earn roster spots.
The Flyers have three preseason games remaining and it may take general manager Ron Hextall that long before he decides whether speedy winger Travis Konency and/or defenseman Ivan Provorov earn roster spots.
Both continued to state their cases Saturday night in the Flyers' sloppy 4-3 shootout loss to Boston at the Wells Fargo Center.
Both had assists, got ice time in all situations, and generally played well.
"Those guys have done a good job throughout camp . . . along with a lot of others in that room," coach Dave Hakstol said. "They've pushed the envelope and are doing their job and making decisions difficult."
Provorov made a perfect stretch pass to a streaking Jordan Weal in the neutral zone, setting up the center's breakaway goal to tie the game at 2-2 with 13 minutes, 21 seconds left in the second period.
"When the puck went to Provy, I looked up and saw they were trying to make a line change, so I thought I'd go," Weal said. "Provy made a great pass."
Late in the second period, Provorov's power-play blast hit off the crossbar. He finished with six shots (three on goal) and three hits in 23:23.
Provorov started the game on the left side, while fellow rookie defenseman Phil Myers, a righthanded shooter, was on the right. Late in the second period, the left-handed shooting Provorov went to the right side and was paired with veteran Andrew MacDonald.
Konecny, who played right wing and had a two-point performance in Wednesday's 2-0 win over New Jersey, shifted to left wing and didn't skip a beat. He had an assist, drew a penalty, and made several eye-opening passes.
Konecny did have some bad moments. He had a giveaway that nearly led to a Boston goal in overtime, and he lost control of the puck after making a deke and never got off a shot in the shootout.
Playing on a line with Sean Couturier and Jake Voracek, Konecny made a key pass during an offensive possession that led to the Flyers' first goal. Couturier tied the game at 1-1, scoring on a first-period rebound after Voracek's shot hit the post.
"Playing with Jake is special, and Travis is a great young player," Couturier said. "He's a hard worker and has a bright future. He's not a big guy, but he's not afraid to go into those dirty areas."
Konecny took Claude Giroux's spot on the top power-play unit because the Flyers captain hasn't returned to action after participating in the World Cup. The 19-year-old winger set up numerous power-play chances.
About two minutes after Weal's goal, Konecny had an open net but couldn't control a pass in front. The puck, however, deflected to Brayden Schenn, whose goal put the Flyers ahead, 3-2, with 11:18 to play in the second.
Roster moves. Five players cleared waivers and were sent to the AHL's Phantoms: T.J. Brennan, Greg Carey, Chris Conner, Andy Miele, and Petr Straka.
Brennan, an offensive-minded defenseman, is the pride of Moorestown.
"He had a good camp. There's others that had a little bit better camp," Hakstol said. "Tough decisions have to be made."
Breakaways. The Flyers have 34 players left in camp. ... Voracek, Couturier, Shayne Gostisbehere, and goalie Michael Neuvirth played their first preseason games since returning from the World Cup. ... Neuvirth stopped Austin Czarnik on an overtime breakaway.
@BroadStBull www.philly.com/flyersblog