Rick Tocchet points to what’s fueling Trevor Zegras’ strong season

The Philadelphia Flyers are in the drivers seat for a playoff spot, and it's all thanks to their recent play. In the last 10 games, the Flyers won seven of them. The team is clicking with the additions of Porter Martone and Tyson Foerster late in the season, and as a result, they sit in third place in the Metropolitan Division with 92 points through 78 games.

The Flyers picked up their third consecutive win on Tuesday night after defeating the New Jersey Devils 5-1. Trevor Zegras was named the top star of the game after scoring two goals and recording an assist.

After the game, Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet spoke about Zegras' play not just on Tuesday night but throughout the season. Tocchet said that Zegras is motivated to "prove a lot of people wrong."

"Right from the beginning, Trevor came to us, he wants to play meaningful games. I hate using the word playoffs, but he wants to make the playoffs, right? He hasn't played a playoff game and I think he wants to prove a lot of people wrong," said Tocchet. "He played with a chip on his shoulder this year, and I love that he played with a chip on his shoulder. He pushes the pace and like I said, he's a real good locker room guy."

Rick Tocchet loves that Trevor Zegras played 'with a chip on his shoulder' in first year with Flyers

It is a wild thought that, for the first time in his six year career, Zegras is this close to a playoff spot. During his first five years in the NHL, he was on the Anaheim Ducks, who have always floated either well out of a playoff spot or sat at the bottom of the Western Conference standings.

Zegras never really panned out with the Ducks after promising second and third seasons. The forward dealt with injuries, coaching changes, and position changes in his latter years in Anaheim. Ultimately, the Ducks were open to trading Zegras last year. The Flyers were interested and finalized a trade for Zegras in exchange for Ryan Poehling, a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round selection.

The Ducks are in playoff position as well, looking like locks to make it as one of the three top teams in the Pacific Division. Meanwhile, Zegras is close to playing playoff hockey for the first time in his career, and he's on pace for the best season of his career.

In 78 games played, Zegras has 25 goals and 40 assists to his credit. His goals total is the most he's put up in a single season, and is just two assists away from tying his one year best. In the Flyers' past 10 games, Zegras has 11 points, which has helped the team stack wins and climb into playoff position.

For the Flyers, they will have to keep up the pace with the Columbus Blue Jackets just two points back for third place in the division standings, Even though Zegras hasn't played any meaningful games in his career, he is showing up and helping the Flyers win in their chase for their first playoff berth since 2020.