Photo Credit: Jordan Hall, Yahoo Sports
Flyers Beat Rangers 5-2
The Philadelphia Flyers just came off a huge 5-2 victory over the red hot New York Rangers. This game the Flyers showed the hockey world that the evolution of their roster is for real. The Flyers have a huge opportunity to, do what contenders are capable of doing, and instill their will on their opposition. In a pair of must win home and home games, the Flyers have an ability to show everyone that they are a playoff team and there’s nothing anyone can say or do about it. It always seems that there is a reluctance to give the Flyers the credit they are due. Claude Giroux is a perfect example of that. As he goes on to put up legendary points in the NHL and enshrine himself in hockey history and the league barely notices, hockey Canada barely notices. Like a late great artist of the past, Claude Giroux’s appreciation will truly be realized when he is gone. However, he is not and the Flyers finally have a team that can execute with precision. With a big game in their sights the Flyers look to make their loudest statement of the year by trying to get one step closer to first place in the Metro division.
Alain Vigneault at Practice:
Nolan Patrick was looking lively at practice and in the locker room. He had a smile on his face for most of the practice and in the locker room was loud making jokes with other players. It’s clear he’s feeling in good spirits and is making his way back to form, but it didn’t look like he missed a beat in the casual practice environment. Still no update on when Patrick will take a next step, but as he worked on drills late after practice ended, it was clear that Patrick is clearly very much instructed to get into game shape. Any day now we could here a change and with all the good news of late, doesn’t it feel like more positivity could be coming? I can tell you that The Flyers Nitty Gritty has a good feeling about it and hope is not lost for us.
Carter Hart is your starter on Sunday in his second game against the NY Rangers. After a phenomenal performance on Friday night, AV wants to prove conspiracies wrong and play Carter Hart in an away game. No better way to test his playoff gumption, than playing in a must win game that could potential seal the deal for the Flyers’ playoff hopes.
Starting Line-Up: Per AV, expect the same lines for next game. He’s clearly going with the, if it’s not broken, why fix it? model. Ghost clearly needs more time and could only benefit from recovery from his surgery and build the competitive drive to take his spot back in the lineup. A impactful Shayne Gostisbehere is only good for the Flyers. Come playoff time, they’ll 100% need him. As the new guys get integrated the coach has decided that he does not feel the need to make changes and that he’s taking one game at a time.
OFFENSE:
Claude Giroux – Sean Couturier – Jakub Voracek
Scott Laughton – Kevin Hayes – Travis Konecny
James Van Riemsdyk – Derek Grant – Tyler Pitlick
Michael Raffl – Nate Thompson – Nicolas Aube-Kubel
DEFENSE:
Ivan Provorov – Matt Niskanen
Travis Sanheim – Phil Myers
Robert Hagg – Justin Braun
GOALIES:
Carter Hart / Brian Elliot
SCRATCHES:
Nolan Patrick (LTIR), Shayne Gostisbehere (Day-to-Day), Oskar Lindblom (LTIR)
