It’s getting redundant at this point but resiliency continues to be the name of the game for the Flyers. And no one displayed that more than Travis Konecny and Carter Hart. The former, after being benched in the third period last game, made it evident that he heard the message loud and clear from his head coach. Those two were direct reasons why the Flyers were able to win this game.
The first period was not the best for Hart, however. He did not look like the goaltender who was off to a strong start. His rebound control was very shaky and the two goals he gave up were both ones he’d like back for sure. The first trickled through the five-hole and the second went under his skate as he slid toward the post. Now the defense in front of him was shaky as well, but you’d still like to see your goaltender make the saves he likely should.
He ended up making 48 saves on the night, a new career high. His previous high came on March 8th, 2022 when he made 47 saves against the Golden Knights. After a shaky first period and some tough goals, it was a huge rebound. At this point, though, the team isn’t surprised at what Hart is able to do for them.
"“I’ve said it before, it’s not shocking to us. It’s incredible, he’s playing hard, he’s playing well. We gotta clean up the stuff in front of him and give him a little bit more of a rest back there.” Konecny said about Hart’s play."
Konecny decided to help his goaltender out with not one, but two excellent passes to set up the Flyers’ first two goals. His first was a no-look, behind-the-back pass to Tony DeAngelo. His second was off a blocked shot on the power play where instead of trying to shoot, he slid it over to Scott Laughton who had an open net in front of him. Message received Tortorella, message received.
"“I have no qualms as far as how hard he plays. I don’t think I’ll ever question that. How he felt about it, I don’t know. You’ll have to ask him. If that’s what it was about, so be it. I thought he played really well.” Tortorella on Konecny’s effort."
It was safe to say that Kevin Hayes got the message as well. After a breakaway chance failed, he spotted Joel Farabee camped in the slot. Sending a pass from behind the goal line, Farabee was able to easily tip the puck past Bobrovsky for the Flyers’ fourth goal of the game. The third goal came on a Zack MacEwen tip of a Nick Seeler shot. Oh, and Nicolas Deslauriers assisted on the play too. Just how we all drew it up.
There were different points during the game where it seemed like players were being benched. Egor Zamula only took four shifts in the first and was stationary for over six minutes. He also did not take a shift in the third period after four in the second. Morgan Frost took two shifts in the second while Wade Allison only had one. They were both on the bench for most of the period. It was similar scenarios in the final period as well. A case of playing 11 forwards and seven defensemen or something else?
"“I needed to plays Laughts’ line and Kevin’s line a lot tonight for us to compete with that team. I just think some other guys were overwhelmed and I don’t think I could give them the amount of ice time that I would’ve if I just rolled the lines and threw the centers through them. They suffered a little bit there. That’s the only reason. Whether it’s right or wrong, that’s what I went with.”"
Whether it was situationally based or not, it’s tough to shorten your bench when you’re nursing a tight lead. It ended up not costing the Flyers in this one. But it isn’t a strategy the team can employ over the course of a full season. Especially when giving up 51 shots and over 100 total shot attempts.
Winning the way the team has been will not be a sustainable way to go about things. And Konecny understood that. They need to clean a lot of things up in front of Hart so he doesn’t have to be their best player every time he’s on the ice. It doesn’t hurt to have a goalie who is now 5-0-0 on the season and holds a .947 SV%, though. There isn’t much that Hart is doing in order to help bring this success early on.
"“I’m just taking things one day at a time. I’m not getting too ahead, not worrying about the past. Just taking things day by day, that’s it.” Hart said on his start to the season."
The Flyers hit the ice for practice on Friday afternoon before facing the Hurricanes on Saturday. Carolina will be on the latter half of a back-to-back after taking on the Islanders. Philadelphia will try to take advantage of a potentially tired team and move their record to 6-2-0.