Flyers defensive play is crucial to their success

Photo Credit: Matt Slocum, Associated Press

Through 28 games played the Philadelphia Flyers defensive play has been crucial to their success.

The Flyers have found timely goal scoring at certain points. However, their defensive play has been the foundation to their underlying process on the ice this season.

One defensive aspect of their game that’s been a momentum changer for them is the penalty-kill. Philadelphia is second in the league this season with seven shorthanded goals. Scoring at such a rate while shorthanded not only makes opposing power-plays think twice about specific plays they can make (at the blue line for example) but it directly contributes to turning the momentum in the Flyers favor on the penalty-kill. 

Additionally, the Flyers penalty-kill is currently tied for 4th best in the NHL with an 86.7 % efficiency rating. Having such an effective penalty kill has been a key factor in the Flyers staying in close games.

The ability to successfully pressure their opposition with aggressive plays especially at the blue line and when teams are trying to enter the offensive zone has been the main catalysts to their penalty killing success. This has provided  the Flyers the opportunity to stay competitive in games where in prior seasons a penalty-kill goal against may have burned them. 

Another statistic to bring to the forefront that shows how strong the Flyers have been defensively this season is the goal against per games played metric. The Flyers’ goals against per game is 7th lowest in the league at 2.71.

That means the Flyers are effectively one of the stingiest teams in the NHL in relation to the amount of goals they allow on average within games. Once again this points to the Flyers strong defensive play and how their commitment to team defense has been an integral part of their identity this season.

Overall, it’s evident the Flyers defensive play has improved in all areas so far this season. Their defensive play as a five man unit and their backchecking at 5 on 5 has turned them into a team that has been competitive on a nightly basis, aside from a handful of matchups. The Flyers have certainly bought into John Tortorella’s system, style of play and the shot blocking that comes with it. 

Gettin Gritty Wit It: Episode 192

Yariv and Vasili are back for the latest episode of the Gettin Gritty Wit It podcast.

The overarching theme this week focused on the Flyers starting to get some league wide recognition for their strong play this season. 

Many other topics were also discussed:

-Flyers win 4 of last 5

-Carter Hart named goalie of the week

-Konecny has been on fire

-Couturier starting to get his offensive touch back

-Who could be traded and when?

-Briere and Tortorella mentioned the organization’s philosophy isn’t changing 

-NHL expansion rumored for 2026

-Phantoms update

-Prospects update

Thanks for reading and listening. Have a great week everyone!