Following today’s Flyers press conferences with Philippe Myers, Travis Sanheim, Claude Giroux, Nicolas Aube-Kubel (NAK), and of course Head Coach Alain Vigneault. You could really sense the determination. The determination to succeed, and endure an extended playoff run, “I think so,” Giroux said following a question if this was one of the deepest teams he’s been on, “I think we have a line or one guy that steps up and gets the big goal or great play defensively. I think we’re confident whoever’s on the ice, line-matching and that kind of stuff, we’re pretty comfortable with everybody in the lineup. When you feel like that, you’re confidence goes higher. You focus on your own job and makes your job a lot easier.”
Confidence does a lot for a players game. It makes them a better player, it gives the locker room a sense of life, makes it easier to be coached. Overall, it brings a sense of happiness and life to a team that is ready to take the next step, “I’m so excited,” NAK said, “I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a little kid. I love playoffs since I was growing up, playing hockey. I’m so excited.”
NAK continued, “I’m super excited to play with those two guys. It’s easy to play with JVR. Happy to play with Grant again. Yeah, I’m excited.”
Actions speak louder than words, but it cannot be taken for granted that the Flyers have confidence in everyone and anyone, regardless of who’s on the ice, “I think we’re confident whoever’s on the ice, line-matching and that kind of stuff, we’re pretty comfortable with everybody in the lineup, ” Giroux said, “When you feel like that, you’re confidence goes higher. You focus on your own job and makes your job a lot easier.”the Flyers are a young team, to hear some of the vets speak this confident about who’s on the ice, well that can do a lot for a young players confidence, especially their first taste of NHL playoff experience, “I’m just going to try to treat it like any other game this year,” a budding star defenceman Philippe Myers said, “Not change anything, just get ready the same way. I’m trying to bring that intensity as much as I can. Obviously, I’m going to do everything that I can to help the team win. It’s sort of the same mindset as I had this year. Nothing changes.”
How far the Flyers go depends on a lot of things. However, there is a sense of determination, confidence, and something unique about them that can carry this team to the promised land in this unusual playoff season, “I feel this group of players, the focus we have on the task,” Head Coach Alain Vigneault said, “Playoff hockey there is a lot to be said for momentum, in-game momentum. How you create it, how you get it back. How you bounce back from a hard fought game, win or lose. Big, big part of this is mental. Mental focus, mental strength that players bring. A lot of it has to do with the preparation that they need to do. The will, the will to put yourself in the right frame of mind to go out there and play your best. A B-game at this time is not going to work. You’ve got to bring your best hockey. We’ve got obviously a reseeding phase to go through. Those three games, we’re going to need to play good. We’re going to need to play hard. Have a real strong and smart work ethic. I believe this group has learned that. Has learned about playing the right way and executing and bringing the right work ethic to the games. I’m very confident with this group. These three games are going to be important. I think the will to win is there. It’s up to us to go out there and prove it.”
