Date Published: 12-6-2022
Photo Credit: Jill Rice
Bumps in the road happen for everyone, whether it’s at work or at home. That’s just part of life. Everyone will have a bump in the road at some point or another, and athletes are no different. They are humans too, it’s the nature of the business. Fortunately, Carter Hart fought through his first “Speed” bump of the season after a tough loss on Saturday night.
“I’m sure Carter felt pretty good in where he has a two, three goal lead. He hasn’t had much of that during the year. The situation we’ve been in this year – it’s hard to be a goaltender with us because you can’t make a mistake because we just have not been able to give him run support. Tonight, we found a way.” – John Tortorella
Hart got off to a great start to the season, but it’s since dropped off the bed not because he’s playing bad, but he just couldn’t keep up the pace of playing with a .949 Save Percentage on a nightly basis. Multiple players have said, to include Tony DeAngelo following the New Jersey Devils game, “Hart stands on his head for us. Hartsy’s making some big saves. He bailed us out a few times. That always helps.” These are some comments that give a Goaltender confidence, and makes them want to perform better.
However, Hart was precise and crisp last night as he moved laterally from post to post well last night. He was also tracking the puck very well, and that is a good indicator that he is on top of his game. Hart stopped 29 of 32 shots, any finished with first star for the game for his efforts
This young man has electrified the fan base, and has cemented himself as the guy between the pipes for the orange and black for years to come. Let’s make no mistake about it, this is Hart’s net this year. There is no Goalie controversy in Philadelphia, Hart is the future of this team. Flyers fans do not panic, there may be another bump in the road.
Kevin Hayes remains red hot as he finished the game with two assists. He just continues to produce this season, regardless of where he plays in the lineup, or who his linemates are.
Hayes now has eight goals and 19 assist on the season in 26 games played. He is now tied for 29th in the league in points with 27. People can say what they want, but he is producing and that is something that people have wanted for the past few seasons. Some have said that he hasn’t earned his paycheck because he is in produced, well now he is and it’s still not good enough for some.
Travis Sanheim, Travis Konecny, Tony DeAngelo, Owen Tippett, and Tanner Laczynski all score goals in the 5-3 victory over the Avs. Laczynski left the game with an apparent injury, so let’s hope he’s okay as the Flyers are starting to get healthy. Can they make it two in a row on wednesday? Will JvR play? Will Cam Atkinson play? Hopefully we get some answers today when the Flyers practice at noon.
