Photo Credits: FNG’s Rob Windfelder
I understand social media is it’s own form of entertainment. I don’t get it, but I understand it. Some folks just love seeing if they can make other people’s heads explode in real time. It makes their day. Good for them.
Others just can’t keep themselves from getting drawn into the dark spiral of doom that always exists just a click away. In certain bubbles negativity is the only form of “credibility”. When it comes to the Flyers sometimes social media vs reality can leave a chasm that folks just can’t wait to jump into. Left to their on devices (see what I did there) this town can get real dark real quick.
Reality
If you choose to believe your own lying eyes the Flyers are on a darn good run right now. Currently at this moment in time things are looking pretty rosy. I’m the first to admit that I’m always waiting for things to fall apart but Flyers Fans have been through a pretty tough stretch for quite some time. It can take a toll on you. You’re always waiting for the other skate to drop.
Just like absolutely everyone else, I have no idea how long this current success is going to continue. The Flyers are a rebuilding team and not all the pieces are in place yet, but so far this has been a really entertaining season. This team never gives up, comes from behind, and makes it happen. Overtime, shootouts, whatever it takes. As of last night they are just two points out of 1st place in the Metropolitan Division. No one knows what’s coming next so just enjoy it for however long it lasts.
Scapegoats
Owen Tippett
When it comes to the circle of doom on the internet no one has been more of a perpetual piñata this season than Flyers forward Owen Tippett. When you read some of the “critiques” of his play you might have no idea that this guy is 3rd highest scorer on a winning team. Tippett has 8 goals and 9 assists in 24 games.
Last night was the 2nd Saturday night in a row that the Flyers beat the 1st place New Jersey Devils. Tippett had a three point night with two goals and an assist. It was his 3rd multiple point game this season. He notched his 100th NHL goal and his 200th NHL career point.
It was the Devils 1st regulation loss at home this season. If Owen Tippett is the biggest problem that the Flyers have than things are going even better than they seem.
Travis Konecny
TK has something going on this season that can best be described as some sort of rare strain of partial snakebite. Every player goes through being snake bitten and we’ve seen Konecny work through it before. What’s weird about this time is he’s still producing and doing things to help his team win games. He’s still the 2nd highest scorer on the team. He’s just missing nets or inspiring goaltenders to make spectacular saves or getting crazy bounces.
Konecny scored the game winning shootout goal against the Islanders on Black Friday. Ironically he’s doing everything Captain Sean Couturier took SO much heat for saying in reference to Matvei Michkov, “he needs to find ways to contribute to the team when not scoring“. That’s exactly what Konecny is doing, and it’s not like he’s not scoring at all. He’s just not scoring as frequently as he has gotten us accustomed to.
Flyers Top 5 Point Leaders
Trevor Zegras 9-G 15-A +1
Travis Konecny 5-G 16-A +7
Owen Tippett 8-G 9-A +2
Christian Dvorak 6-G 10-A +5
Sean Couturier 4G 11-A +
Rick Tocchet
No matter what, it’s a sure bet the head coach is always going to get second guessed on almost anything and everything. The daily line-up is a constant conversation on social media and has been for years.
People are passionate about their sports teams, they love being vocal about it, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But truth be told some athletes are going to end up catching flack that they may not necessarily deserve. Sometimes it just becomes habitual to dog certain dudes and it’s hard to turn it off.
All that being said, Rick Tocchet’s Flyers have been winning some hockey games. They’re currently 14-7-3 and just two points out of 1st place in the division on Thanksgiving weekend. Saturday’s win against the Devils was Tocchet’s 300th NHL career win as a head coach.
The Metropolitan Division is so tight right now, almost anything can happen. It’s a long season. There’s still a ton of ice hockey to be played. But right now the Philadelphia Flyers are putting on a pretty good show. Try to enjoy it.
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