The Philadelphia Flyers are RED HOT. There is absolutely no doubt about it. They are 15-4-1 in their last 20 games and have won the last eight in a row. The orange and black have battled their way up the grueling Metropolitan Division ladder in stunning fashion. They occupied a spot outside the Wild Card just a few short weeks ago. Now, Philadelphia sits tied for first place with the Washington Capitals; a team they have handled effortlessly, winning the season series 3-0-1. Several different components have played a role in the Flyers’ current hot steak. Here is an in-depth look at a few of the players who have led this incredible effort.
COOOOOOTS
Sean Couturier has been lights out on the ice during this run. The center has 18 points (9 goals, 9 assists), two power-play goals and three game-winning goals in his last twenty games. In the faceoff circle, Couturier has been extraordinary. He leads the Flyers with a 59.4% faceoff win percentage and is second in the NHL in that category.
Couturier has been one of the best defensive forwards in the league for a handful of years now. The 2019-20 season has been no different. His defensive prowess on the ice has been very evident, especially in the last few months. Sean has been in the running multiple seasons for the Selke Trophy, which is awarded to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game. This season may be his greatest opportunity yet to bring home the coveted hardware. In fact, Couturier was the leading vote-getter for the Selke in the Professional Hockey Writers Association’s 2019-20 NHL midseason awards.
TK
Travis Konecny has been another offensive juggernaut for the Philadelphia Flyers and has been giving goalies anxiety attacks during this win streak and throughout the entire season. Konecny has 21 points (9 goals, 12 assists), two power-play goals and two game-winning goals in his last twenty games. During the eight-game win streak, T.K. has 13 points (5 goals, 8 assists) and has displayed tremendous diligence and passion during his shifts. He seems to be leaving it all on the ice every night, an encouraging characteristic that appears to be rubbing off on the entire team.
Provy
The Flyers defense has been punishing and a major factor in the eight-game win streak. Every member of the defensive corps has been playing sensational hockey. Ivan Provorov is having one of his best seasons yet and has really shined in these last few weeks. Provy recorded six points (2 goals, 4 assists) and a +10 in his last six games while averaging 24:10 of ice time. His two goals came at critical moments in the Flyers’ last two contests against the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes.
Cahtah Haht
Carter Hart has been merciless between the pipes during the Flyers’ recent success. In his last six starts, Carter has gone 6-0-0, logged a .935 save percentage and only allowed eleven goals against. This is the second time in his very young career he has put together six consecutive wins. He continues his stellar work at home, as five of the six victories were recorded at Wells Fargo Center. The 21-year-old netminder appears calm, cool and collected as the playoffs approach and the pressure continues to build.
These four stars have played significant roles in the Philadelphia Flyers’ domination during this eight-game win streak and throughout the entire season. With only fifteen games remaining and the battle for home-ice advantage heating up, it will be interesting to see how things play out. No matter the outcome, I am confident that we are going to be seeing quite a bit of these four Flyers on the highlight reels in the weeks ahead.
Photo Credit: Alex Mcintyre
