Philadelphia Flyers Winning Again Because of Coaching and Total Team Effort

Written By: Mark "The Hard Hitter" Ritter

Despite a ton of lobbying for change by the fans, the names on the back of the jerseys haven’t changed, but the end result has for the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Flyers started the 2009-10 campaign playing sound defense, inspired offense, and all-around tough hockey. Somehow, amidst injuries, controversy, and a coaching change, the Flyers lost their way, culminating into a horrific losing streak that lasted seven games in December.

With their confidence all but shattered and with the Winter Classic looming large, the Flyers seemingly took a renewed interest in playing a team game.

As is the case with many teams, rather than wait for the Flyers' big guns to step up and lead the way, the Flyers' grinders took the Orange and Black on their backs and put forth a concerted effort to turn the Flyers around.

Players like Blair Betts, Dan Carcillo, and Darroll Powe started doing all the “little things” that win hockey games and, by osmosis, their teammates followed. Finishing checks, winning battles for the puck, a renewed focus on speed, shorter/more energized shifts, and a more concerted effort defensively has turned a team that was playing far below its capabilities into a team that now looks to be back in playoff contention.

Flyers' head coach Peter Laviolette spoke about the importance of both Powe and Betts when I asked him about the “unsung heroes” on his team earlier this season (at the Winter Classic).

“There is no unsung hero. I think that everybody, Blair Betts has been very valuable. Having Darroll Powe back in the lineup has been very valuable...It’s been a contribution from everybody to put us where we can now look at climbing higher in the standings.”

Not lost in Laviolette’s answer was the importance of being able to roll four lines. To be fair, the Flyers' recent good fortune has been a collective effort, one that every player in the dressing room, stars and bit players alike, can be proud of.

While Betts, Carcillo, and Powe have all played a big role in the Flyers' turnaround, there also seems to be a renewed focus on special teams, especially the power, which, through 49 games is ranked third overall—humming along at a 23.8 percent success rate.

A coach will tell you that goaltending can be the difference between looking like a genius and looking for work. Michael Leighton was anything but sensational when he was given the challenge of starting for the Flyers, but nobody can argue with his numbers.

Leighton, who was picked up off waivers from the Carolina Hurricanes, has posted an impressive record of 8-1-1. His 8-1-1 stretch may have saved the Flyers' season and most certainly will be looked upon as the turning point in the Flyers season.

Fortunately for the Flyers, Ray Emery has now stepped up, posting a 2-1 record with one shutout in three starts with the Flyers.

Much like Leighton before him, outside of Emery’s shutout effort against the New York Rangers last night, Emery has not looked spectacular, but he is getting the job done, keeping his team in the game and giving the Flyers a shot at a win more nights than not.

After last night's 2-0 win over the hated Rangers, the Flyers are now 2-0 on their six game home stand. To say this six game stretch is important would be an understatement. Five of the six matchups are against Eastern Conference foes, which means, if successful, the Flyers can make up some valuable ground in the standings.

Over the past 12 games Jeff Carter has re-established himself as a major offensive threat, scoring six goals, adding eight assists and, just as important, posting a plus seven rating in the process.

Defensemen Matt Carle and Chris Pronger, the glue on the back end that made the Flyers early success possible, have played inspired hockey of late. Pronger has two goals and 11 points in his past 12 games and is a plus eight, while Carle has posted one goal, four assists, and a plus four rating over that same time span.

Meanwhile, Danny Briere has been chipping in, posting five goals, 12 points and a plus seven rating in his past 12 games, as has James van Riemsdyk—five goals, ten points, and a plus two rating over his past 12 games.

The recent squabble between Flyers' captain Mike Richards and the Philadelphia media had the potential to get out of hand, but to Richards’ and his teammates credit, they have managed to keep that situation in check.

Richards has four goals and six assists over his past 12 games and his solid two-way play has been the difference between a win and a loss for his team on numerous occasions.

Going forward the Flyers need to do exactly what they have been doing—playing tough,  controlled hockey, with everyone chipping in. A sound defensive game and taking advantage of offensive opportunities will serve the Flyers well, something that coach Laviolette is bound to remind his team of on a nightly basis.

As good as the Flyers have been of late, the battle for a playoff spot has just begun, for the sake of Flyers’ fans everywhere, let’s hope they can keep this momentum going in the right direction.

Until next time,

Peace!