Flyers Finally Trending in the Right Direction- By: Jessica Hess
Photo Cred- Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
Manned by interim head coach Mike Yeo, it looks like the Philadelphia Flyers are finally on the right track. With the ten-game winless drought behind them, the boys are headed in the right direction, winning their last three in a row. Now let’s be honest here. The ten-game skid was a little disheartening to say the least. They were outscored 18-47 and outshot 306-359 and they were shut out twice. Apparently, losing ten games in a row and firing your coach after eight lights a spark. After the Flyers were shut out in New Jersey, it was time to change the pace.
So, let’s get to the good stuff, shall we? Two days after taking a slight beating by the Devils, the Flyers headed to the west coast to play the Vegas Golden Knights in a 10:00 pm game. Personally, my hopes were low considering the boys had just lost ten in a row. Fortunately, they steamrolled ahead for their first victory since November 16th with the 4-3 win. We saw Max Willman net his first NHL goal and Carter Hart looking fresh. Yeo continued to play with the lines, and it finally paid off. What’s even better? This win had Claude Giroux setting a record when he notched his 334th power play point to move him past Bobby Clarke as the franchise leader in that department.
Next game was in Arizona, and it was the back half of yet another back-to-back and the fifth game in seven nights, so again… hopes were low. But I have never in my life been so happy to be wrong because the boys pulled out the 5-3 win. James van Riemsdyk, who’s always been a streaky goal-scorer, has hit his time and netted two for the Flyers. This makes JVR with three in the last two games. Patrick Brown tallied his first as a Flyer, and the other two goals came from Scott Laughton and a red-hot Giroux.
Tuesday’s home game against the Devils would turn out to be a doozy. The score of the Flyers third win in a row was (believe it or not!) 6-1. They dominated the first period and Travis Sanheim potted his first of the year. Offense throughout the game was fiery and we saw Cam Atkinson, who has also been hot all year, complete the hat-trick for the fans at the Wells Fargo Center. Carter Hart was looking crisp as well, stopping all but one shot.
Is this finally the bounce the Flyers needed? It looks to be that way. In my opinion, Yeo mixing the pot for the lines and Hart and Jones staying sharp are the keys to the Flyers current success and with any luck, the boys can go streaking again! Hopefully in the other direction this time. So, buckle up for the ride Philadelphia. I have a feeling it’s about to be a wild one.
-Jessica Hess- Flyers Alley/ Olde City Sports Network