After starting the season slow, Dave Hakstol moved Travis Konecny to the top line to see if that would jump start his season. Well, that move by Dave Hakstol has paid off in numbers for the Flyers.
Konecny scored two more goals tonight to help lead the Flyers to a much needed win.
His first goal of the night came off a twisted wrist shot from the high slot that beat Georgiev high glove.
TK GETS THE BOYS ON THE BOARD! pic.twitter.com/6Iu0a5FLGP
— Flyers Nation (@FlyersNation) March 22, 2018
His second goal, Konecny had to work for. Off a Gudas shot from the point, Konecny fought through a Rangers defender in-front to deflect it home.
Travis Konecny scores his second of the night off a deflection! pic.twitter.com/OEONr5czKO
— Sons of Penn (@SonsofPenn) March 23, 2018
Since his promotion, Konecny has 18G & 16A in 37 games. Konecny for the season has 22G & 22A.
Here are 4 more observations from the Flyers 4-3 win over the Rangers…
Sloppy But Good?
If one thing has stuck to the Flyers all year, its slow start. Tonight, was no different.
After the first 5 minutes of the 1st period, the Flyers were being outshot 4-0 and were being out played dramatically. However, like previous games, the Flyers fought through the slow start to battle for the victory.
Unlike Tuesday, where it took the Flyers 40 minutes to get going, they responded to the Rangers hot start and got the games first goal just before the 8 minute mark of the 1st period.
However, they had a defensive zone breakdown and the Rangers scored late in the 1st period to tie the game at 1.
One thing the Flyers have failed to do this season is take leads into the 2nd period. The Flyers have only led 14 times after the 1st period this season.
Hart Trophy?
I know it is probably not going to be even close, but Giroux has shortened his gap on Nikita Kucherov to 5 points.
Giroux, who is having a huge bounce back year, added his second straight 3 assist game tonight against the Rangers. However, even with the extremely good back-to-back games, Giroux has to go on a tear over his last 7 games to beat Kucherov.
The Flyers need Giroux to set up in more ways than one over the final 7 games to help this young Flyers team make the playoffs. In the time being, if he could get close to the top of the league in points, he has a great case for the Hart Trophy.
One thing is for sure, if Giroux can get 10 points over his last 7 games, he will become the 1st Flyer to record 100 points in a season since Eric Lindros had 115 points back in 1995-96.
Timely Saves
The issue for the Flyers goal-tending woes over the past few game has been timely saves. Flyers goalies have been keeping them in games. However, when they have been called upon to make a big save, they have not.
Tonight, they finally got that from Alex Lyon.
Lyon, who has been on a hot streak lately, made some huge saves late in the 3rd period to keep the Flyers lead. None bigger than the diving save on Rangers Chris Kreider.
Ridiculous save by Alex Lyon to keep the Flyers ahead! pic.twitter.com/d3Dhx9iXtH
— Flyers Nation (@FlyersNation) March 23, 2018
If Lyon, Mrazek, or whoever is manning the Flyers net over the final 8 games can make timely saves. This team should have no issue making the playoffs and possibly make a little noise in the process.
Huge 2 Points
With the Flyers win tonight, they gained a valuable 2 points in their quest for a playoff spot. To help even more, the Blue Jackets defeated the Panthers, the team chasing the Flyers.
Now, the Flyers are competing with the Blue Jackets for the final Metro Division spot. But, at this point, I think this team just wants to make the playoffs and see what happens from there.
Tonight, they came closer to that goal by widening their lead on the Panthers to 7 points.
If your worried about the Flyers and the Blue Jackets, well look at this. The Blue Jackets have won 10 straight. They have to lose at some point and it will be soon. The Blue Jackets have a tough 3-game West Coast road-trip to end the season. That will be the Flyers chance to pass them.
Therefore, does anybody else want a little cross-state rivalry 1st round playoff series?
I know for sure I would.
Result : Flyers 4 – Rangers 3 , WIN
Record : 38 – 25 – 12
Next Game : 3/25 Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh PA, NBC 12:30pm
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
