The Flyers Need to Play Nic Deslauriers

Nic Deslauriers has played in just one game this month, the 4-3 loss to the Islanders. The only other game in this eight-game skid he's appeared in was the OT loss to the Hurricanes on March 21. However, he did appear in the last game this team won, which was a 3-2 victory over Toronto on March 19. That is a long time since the Flyers won. He isn't likely to score, but the Flyers need to play Deslauriers in these final few games if they want any chance to make the playoffs. Tonight's game against the Rangers would be a great start.

Deslauriers is needed for one thing. This guy can create the spark that this team needs. Maybe the Flyers are trying too hard. Maybe they aren't trying hard enough. Someone needs to settle this team down and give them something to rally around. The Rangers have been kicking the butts of the Flyers all year. To be fair, they've been doing that to everyone this season. Having Deslauriers in the lineup will give them a physical presence that will say they are not going to be pushed around.

The Rangers got into an epic fight last week against the Devils. The Devils' post-season aspirations are even less likely than the Flyers. If the Rangers and Devils will throw down, you can bet that there's no doubt they'd beat up Philly too.

During this time of year, your enforcers, like Deslauriers, tend to be scratched. You don't want to take on any unnecessary penalties. However Deslauriers is not a dirty, Tie Domi kind of player. He defends his teammates. Earlier this year, the Flyers found an amazing combination on the fourth-line pairing
Deslauriers with Garnet Hathaway and Ryan Poehling. They helped keep other teams in check. It might not be a bad idea to get back to that.

With three games left, the Flyers need to try anything to get some life back into them. Time is running out. They are on the outside looking in. It's time to try anything to get back in. It's time to put Deslauriers back in the lineup.