A little over a week ago, the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins faced off twice at the TD Garden in Boston. Twice the Flyers were outshot, and twice Boston defeated the orange and black. After losing game one in a shootout, the Flyers were blown out 6-1 by the B’s in game two. In these two games combined, the Flyers had 43 shots on goal. Remarkably, in game one, the Bruins had 43 shots themselves. Granted, the first game did go into overtime, but still, that’s not a good look for the Fly guys.
So what needs to change this time around? The Flyers sit comfortably atop the East division, so this seems pretty cut and dry right? Do what you’ve done to win those other 7 games, and you’ll be fine. Not so fast. Look, I’m as big a Flyers fan as any, and I love nothing more to see my team at the top of the standings, but it hasn’t been pretty. We’ve played some other very good teams besides the Bruins, but the B’s have always given us a strong fight and I don’t think they plan on stopping Wednesday night.
Although the Flyers are 7-2-1, it isn’t hard to see that they’ve had some trouble in their own zone. Losing Matt Niskanen in the off season, and the injury to Sean Couturier definitely doesn’t help the defense at all, but nevertheless, we must get the puck out of our zone. In the two games against the Islanders, I felt like our defense played pretty well compared to our other games this season. There were definitely still some things to work on, but for the most part, I felt like our defense played well enough to give the Flyers a chance to win. Low and behold, the Flyers did take home four points out of a possible four points against New York Islanders.
So here are my five keys to our two games against the Boston Bruins. They may be pretty obvious based on my summary of how we played so far, but at least it will make you feel like a genius when you predict them correctly.
1. GET THE PUCK OUT!
I know for a fact that every single Flyers fan so far this season has yelled at their TV “GET IT OUT”. Knowing us Flyers fans I wouldn’t even be surprised if some of us had to go to Best Buy because we broke our TV while yelling “GET IT OUT”. Now let’s be real here. In the National Hockey League, you’re playing with the best of the best. It’s easy for us to yell at our TV, but getting the puck out of your zone with talented offensive players all around you is far harder than it looks. Even so, the Flyers have had a difficult time doing it for sure. Against the Bruins alone we had a ton of trouble. Hopefully my next key to the game will help the Flyers do this on Wednesday night.
2. Strong Support Passes
Another thing to worry about when you’re clearing the zone is icing. Obviously icing the puck is better than allowing the opposition more chances at your net, but still, this is something players try to avoid if possible. A good way to avoid icing the puck while you’re being pressured in the defensive zone, is short support passes. Does the home run pass work in the NHL, sure, but if the Flyers can start making short accurate passes, they will have a much easier time getting the puck out, and it might even turn into more offense.
3. Shots On Goal
In our series against the Bruins, we were out shot 69-43. We don’t have to talk about shot totals all day, but I for sure expect the Flyers to come out strong and throw everything they can at the Bruins cage.
4. Active Sticks
Not all of my keys to the game have to be something we need to work on. Here’s one that I think we do a pretty darn good job of. You hear announcers say it a lot, “Because of his active stick, Ivan Provorov was able to clear the puck.” This just means a players stick is on the ice and they are moving it around and taking away possible passing lanes for the other team. The Flyers have done well at this, and if they can do so against the Bruins, I believe it’ll give them a better chance at those 4 points this week.
5. “Gettin Gritty Wit It”
Yes this key to the game was definitely inspired by the Podcast “Gettin Gritty Wit It” (which you should totally check out). But it’s definitely one I think we all want to see. Look as long as the Flyers win, I’m smiling ear to ear, but come on, there’s something deep down that’s rooted in every Flyers fan. GRIT. I want to see the Flyers come out blazing, bruising, and taking the game to the Bruins. Let’s get the physical game going, that’s all I’m saying.
Thank you so much for reading, and as always LET’S GO FLYERS.
If you would like to listen to the amazing podcast mentioned above, click down below.
Gettin Gritty Wit It
