How are the Flyers 7-2-1? Many Flyers fans throughout the World are puzzled by this, but every Flyers fan knows the real reason: Goaltending, Goaltending, Goaltending.
The Flyers are fortunate to have stellar Goaltending from Carter Hart and Brian Elliott (The Moose). Both of these netminders have kept the team in games long enough to get their legs underneath them. For some reason, the Flyers have had trouble finding their legs until the third period in most games. Moreover, they have yet to play their best game, as bad habits continue to kill this team mainly in the first and second periods. Bad habits such as, weak forechecking, having trouble transitioning from defense to offense, lacking speed at times, and having trouble controlling the puck.
These are all recipes for disaster, however, due to the great play of Hart and Elliott the Flyers sit atop of the Eastern Conference with the Washington Capitals. The Flyers are officially one of the three best teams in hockey as they are tied for the most points in the NHL (15) with Washington and Toronto. It’s absolutely unbelievable how this is possible.
Timely saves have been the rhyme of the season thus far for the orange and black. Time and time again Hart and Elliott have made tough saves look easy, glove saves…no problem. Both of these Goaltenders have been great with their rebound control, thus limiting second chances, as well. These are all recipes for success as a netminder. They are tracking the pucks well, and playing with confidence.
Hart may not have the best numbers (Due to the 6-1 and 5-4 losses to the Boston Bruins), but he has played well for the most part. Hart has a 4-2-1 record, 3.33 GAA, with a .900 Save Percentage. In addition, the Moose is 3-0, with a 2.22 GAA, and a .932 Save Percentage. Flyers fans are not accustomed to this type of goaltending. This is a successful tandem in the early going of the 2021 season.
Hopefully the Flyers find their “A” game soon, and play a good complete 60 minutes of hockey. With all this being said it is nice that the Flyers do not have to play catch up, rather they are the hunted right now.
Click here to shop for our latest sporting apparel for Flyers Nitty Gritty
