What do you know, Flyers have won three in a row!
By Mike Gambill
I generally don’t get too excited about the first week or two of the NHL season but this year there’s something really different about the Philadelphia Flyers. No, they didn’t change uniforms and their lineups are still essentially intact. They did, however, change head coaches and that folks is starting to make a difference. Three wins in a row isn’t a dream; it’s now a reality early on this season.
The Flyers are playing with all the swagger and confidence you would expect from elite, professional-level hockey players. If you’re that good to play in the National Hockey League, keep your head up and play like you know you’re good at what you do for a living. The cultural shift within the Flyers franchise didn’t happen overnight; changes have been gradually creeping in to temper this once-proud and downright angry organization.
Flying high on new standards and expectations.
The season is just a week or so old and the Philadelphia Flyers stand with a 3-0-0 record. While that’s decently noteworthy compared to last year, other statistics comparing 2021-22 to this young season really tell the tale of a renewed Flyers organization. So far, comeback hockey has become a lifestyle choice for the Flyers and they already have two comeback wins under their belts so far early into 2022-23. In terms of comeback games last year, the Flyers went 5-36-4 when opponents scored first; this year they’ve trailed in every single game and won all of them. That’s five comeback wins last year to three wins in a week this year.
To make these statistics jump out even more, the Flyers did not win a single game last season when they were down by two or more goals. This early season has been kind to the comeback kids as they’ve already pulled out two wins when down by multiple goals. If the Flyers want to live by the mantra of adversity makes you stronger, hold on to your seats for the rest of the season since it may be a wild ride.
John Tortorella demands conditioning and intestinal fortitude.
Being well conditioned is part and parcel for all professional athletes. After all, it’s the hard work combined with talent that sets professionals apart from the “weekend warrior” athletes who are legends only in their own minds. I love the sign that says “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard” and I truly wonder if head coach John Tortorella has that sign somewhere in his office.
Let’s be real, the pundits in the preseason predicted that the Flyers would be bottom feeders again this season and in a race to claim the top NHL draft pick next summer. Enter new head coach Tortorella who infamously put the Philadelphia Flyers through arguably one of the most grueling conditioning programs in the NHL this past training camp.
That hard work, sweat and probably some tears and blood are already paying off since the Flyers are scheduled to play three games in four nights in the first week of the season. With a perfect record so far in 2022-23, the Flyers are showing that they may not be the best team on the ice but they will certainly be the best conditioned team out there every night. Conditioning builds toughness and toughness wins games-plain and simple.
Numerous Flyers are stepping up to the challenge.
Hockey truly is a team sport and while there’s room for the elite superstars to shine each night, in reality, this game demands teamwork and the requirement to sacrifice yourself for the good of the franchise. Offensively speaking, numerous Flyers have already made significant contributions to the cause with Travis Konecny leading the way with three goals and an assist so far this season. James van Riemsdyk is right behind him with a goal and three assists to add to the Flyers winning ways. When a blueliner like Tony DeAngelo adds to the offensive firepower with a goal and three assists at the onset of the season, you have to just know that maybe things are starting to right themselves within the Flyers organization.
Goalie Carter Hart has played all 180 minutes of the early part of this season and his netminding has kept the Flyers in these games so far in 2022-23. With 105 shots on goal in just three games, Hart has given up just six goals and has a solid 2.00 goals-against average and an even more stellar .943 save percentage. Needless, to say, Hart has kept the Flyers in these comeback games and the question is when will he burn out or can he keep this up night after night?