The Philadelphia Flyers have started to find the formula that is working for them as a team.
It’s always better late than never to find out how to make your hockey team click. The Philadelphia Flyers are finding out that and it’s good that they are finally finding their groove. Has it been a change in coaching? Or has switching players around finally made something work? While it’s showing that their success the past month is good for the team, no one on the Flyers knows the exact time that things started to click.
Their record is certainly not something to be ashamed of, going 7-2-1 and earning 15 pointes in their last 10 games. Those aren’t numbers to sneer at and are putting the Flyers, at the moment at least, in a good position for a wild card spot in the postseason. Yet those don’t tell the only story. The middle of November started to see the Flyers see a sign of success. They went 6-3-3 in 12 games and earned 15 more points between November 14th and December 8th. Head coach Dave Hakstol must be pleased with the direction that his team is heading. But what are the reasons for the change in fortune?
One could be attributed to Flyers rookie defensemen Shayne Gostisbehere joining the roster. Gostisbehere was called up to the Flyers on November 14th,m right around the time things started turning around for the team. Ghost, as he’s called by his teammates, was called up as a result of a pelvic injury to Mark Streit. He’s been a dynamite player for the Flyers. The 22-year-old defensemen has been making all sorts of waves. He’s scored game-winning goals three of them in the past month, with the latest one coming in the Flyers’ 4-3 victory Tuesday night over the Carolina Hurricanes. Ghost is quick on the ice, has agility that is instrumental in working during power plays, and has quick wrists that help him score. The 3-vs-3 new overtime rules seems to have been made for him. Yet he doesn’t contribute all of his success to his personal talent. According to Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, Gostisbehere said “They put me in good situations, let me do what I did. It’s probably a complement to them for sure.”
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Gostisbehere’s teammates are also contributing to the Flyers’ success. Goalie Michal Neuvirth has been one of the biggest shining stars. Number one goalie Steve Mason was pulled during the second period of the December 9th 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders. Since then, Neuvith has gone 8-4-2 and is the NHL leader in goal saves. He has a percentage of .937 and only an average of 2.06 goals against. Players are also feeling more comfortable with each other. Captain Claude Giroux seems to work magic when he links up with Gostisbehere. There is more consistency in their plays, which is contributing to them maintaining leads as well as creating them. It seems that all is going well.
Yet there are sometimes consequences with success.
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While the Flyers are rebuilding and creating a successful team, it seems like some of the team’s veterans might be being left out. Sam Gagner hasn’t seen the ice since November 23rd when he suffered a concussion. Even though he’s healthy now, he still hasn’t seen the ice. He’s not the only one. Vincent Lecavalier also hasn’t seen nearly enough playing time this season. Last time he was on the ice was November 12th but with how well younger players are playing, he might not be back anytime in the near future. These players might not see ice time due to decisions made by head coach Dave Hakstol. Would a coach want to move around the lineup when the team is winning? Not likely and that’s bad news for vets.
The Flyers aren’t saying that they are in a ‘rebuilding’ season but from their actions it seems like they are. Older players like Lecavalier and Gagne could be benched and only used sparingly during the rest of the season. Once their contracts are up, it could be time for the Flyers to trade them away and let them find new homes. It’s a harsh reality but when how well the team is doing, it might be the best option. The Flyers are going to have to find Mark Street a spot if they end up keeping Gostisbehere on the roster. The price of success can be unpleasant but it might be something the Flyers are willing to pay.