All’s well that begins well for Flyers

A strange phenomenon has gripped the Flyers.

The team most of North America hates - the New Age Bullies - has made a remarkable leap in the standings.

Yes, it's maddening that the Flyers can't seem to string consecutive 60-minute efforts together. And yet, entering last night's play, the Flyers were tied for third in the NHL with 30 points and 14 victories.

Imagine where they would be if they played as well every night as they did recently in victories over Ottawa and Carolina.

"As a hockey coach, you are always looking for ways to get better," the Flyers' John Stevens said yesterday. "It's like going on a golf course and all you remember is the 10-footer you missed. You forget about the 30-footer you made.

"There are things you can get better at, and you take for granted things you're good at. And that might be the case here. We've certainly done a lot of good things.

"But there is a reason to be concerned about our inconsistency. It's a part of our game that needs to get better. Carolina was talking about that in their game. But if we want to separate ourselves, it's a part that has to get better.

"I think it's wonderful we are where we are. I do think sometimes we forget that we still have a new team here and a lot of young players we are counting on. We didn't just catapult ourselves to a team that is a fine-tuned machine every night. We have lots of areas of our game that need to improve, and it contributes to our inconsistency."

Several players said over the last several days that the one thing Stevens had changed to get to the root of slow, choppy starts every other game was more talking. Stevens cut short yesterday's practice to devote more time to focus mentally and discuss where the team was heading and what had been holding it back.

Scottie Upshall said there was a team meeting after the Boston loss on Monday, "and it was a call for more leadership. It's nothing but what is inside this room."

The common denominator in most of the Flyers' victories this season has been strong starts. Lately, the starts on home ice have been poor even though the team began the season 6-0 at home. Dallas, which also has 30 points, visits tomorrow.

"Now that we have talked about it so much, I definitely think we will be ready to go," Danny Briere said, referring to tomorrow's game. "We've talked about finding a routine that is going to get you ready and prepared to go when the puck drops, and not waiting five or six shifts like we have the past few games after playing a good game."

He said the Flyers had to come out with the same passion they displayed against the Hurricanes on Wednesday.

"We've been repeating the same thing over and over again," Briere said. "Now is the time to find a way for everyone to get ready. All eyes will be on our start and how we play our next game."

Stevens and goalie Martin Biron say the Flyers are still trying to find an identity, having 13 players who weren't on the roster last fall and so many recent changes forced upon them by injuries, particularly on the top line, with Simon Gagne missing because of a concussion.

"We have a long way to go from last year to where we want to be this year," Biron said. "There are going to be little bumps in the road. We have to try and stay more consistent. The first period is the key. If we play like we did [against Carolina] in the first period of every game, you are going to give yourself a chance to win games instead of falling behind."

The team did more talking, less skating, and some off-ice lifting yesterday. Stevens hoped the restructured approach would show dividends on the ice.

"There's no question we're a good team," Upshall said. "We prove that every second game. But good teams find ways to get out of slumps and be consistent. That's the path we're on right now."

Gagne update. Simon Gagne skated on his own for the third straight day. He was up to 35 minutes but still had head pressure and headaches later in the day. He had stopped riding the bike and running.

Gagne might not return to the lineup until after Christmas.