Flyers Player of the Week: James van Riemsdyk

The Flyers played four games this week, two in New Jersey and two at home against the Islanders.

During those four games, James van Riemsdyk tallied eight points.

The Middletown, New Jersey native scored twice in game one versus the Devils. The first one came courtesy of a tip out in front of the net. Fans have nicknamed that space “the office” for JVR. The second goal was like de ja vu. Van Riemsdyk was in his office, and tipped a shot by Ivan Provorov by Scott Wedgewood to give the Flyers a 2-0 lead. JVR’s two goals helped propel the Flyers to a 5-3 victory.

In game two against the Devils, JVR added an assist on Nate Prosser’s goal. Prosser hadn’t played in a NHL game in over two years. His last game in the NHL was on January 17th 2019 and he hadn’t scored a goal since April 5th 2018 as a member of the Minnesota Wild. It was a feel good moment for the team and it helped them get a 3-1 win.

https://twitter.com/a_melendez10/status/1354992133149753346

Unfortunately, Prosser would not play in the first game against the Islanders. Phil Myers returned from his rib injury, sending Prosser back to the taxi squad. I really hope we get to see him again this year!

Meanwhile, JVR continued his hot streak on Saturday when he made a beautiful pass on Kevin Hayes’ goal. I’m not sure how he even made that pass. It went through three Islanders, and somehow found Hayes who had a wide open net. Philadelphia played poorly for the second and third period, but came away with a 3-2 overtime win.

On Sunday, JVR tallied four assists in the Flyers 4-3 overtime win against the Islanders. Three of the four assists helped Joel Farabee, or Young Beezer for all the cool kids out there, get his first career hat trick! The first assist was all JVR, he cancelled out an icing call, then deflected a clearing attempt by the Isles right to Farabee, who fired it home.

Farabee would find the back of the net again after JVR set him up for a one timer that he wizzed by Ilya Sorokin in the second period. Then with the Flyers on the power play, JVR got a secondary assist after Farabee tipped a shot by Ivan Provorov. Finally, JVR got an assist on Kevin Hayes’ overtime winner. Van Riemsdyk was named the second star of the game.

JVR faced a lot of criticism last year, especially on his forechecking abilities. But so far I like what I’ve seen from him. He is currently riding a four game point streak and leads the Flyers with 13 points in 10 games. It’s the best he’s played since the 2009-2010 season, when he also had 13 points in 10 games.

This week the Flyers will welcome the Boston Bruins to town for a two game set, before hitting the road to face the Capitals. One Flyer to keep an eye on this week is Shayne Gostisbehere. Gostisbehere helped set up Scott Laughton’s overtime winner on Saturday, and has looked solid defensively.