Prior to the suspension of the 2019/20 NHL season, the Flyers were tearing through the league. Winners of nine of their last 10 games, the Flyers climbed to the second spot in the Metropolitan Division. Now at a standstill, the great season the Flyers have had to this point may be all for naught if play doesn’t resume.
That doesn’t mean we can’t look back fondly at some of the performances of the Flyers most recent win streak. Nine games total, and some masterful performances by players up and down the Flyers’ roster. It’s time to reflect, since there’s not much to look forward to when it comes to hockey.
Honorable Mention
Leading things off, we have captain Claude Giroux. During the nine game win streak, Giroux rattled off five goals and four assists and was a (+1) during that span. While his seven game point streak came to an end just two games into the nine game win streak, G still maintained a high level of play.
Scott Laughton also had a magnificent nine games dating back to February 18. He totaled nine points as well (3g, 6a), and was a (+11) during that span as well. He put those numbers up all the while averaging 15:50 on the ice, well above his season average of 14:36. Playing alongside Kevin Hayes and Travis Konecny paid dividends for the usual-bottom sixer.
5. Kevin Hayes
Kevin Hayes has been instrumental in the Flyers success this season. From his short-handed goals, to his locker room antics, he has brought “it” on and off the ice. During the nine game win streak, Hayes posted six goals and three assists, and was a (+7). Those nine points came while averaging 16:58 on ice per night.
Three of his nine games were multi-point outings. He had two points against both the Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals. He posted a three-point night against the San Jose Sharks. Needless to say, Hayes was hot when the Flyers were.
4. Matt Niskanen
Niskanen may not have the points that the rest of the guys on this last have, but he’s logged a good bit of time on ice, and his plus/minus is outstanding. While pitching in a goal and three assists, Niskanen also averaged 21:50 per night, and was a staggering (+16) during the Flyers nine game win streak.
Niskanen has been the perfect compliment to the young Ivan Provorov on Philadelphia’s top blue line pair. With play like that during the win streak, he’s becoming more than just a mentor to Provy. He’s now earned that top pairing spot.
3. Jakub Voracek
Jake “Not-so” Scoracek may have only had one goal during the win streak, but his 12 helpers land him in the top three performers during that span. Voracek had four multi-point games in the nine during the streak. His best came February 28 against the New York Rangers, where he had four helpers.
Voracek’s (+2) rating won’t pop off the stat sheet, nor will his 16:41 average time on ice. What does, however, is the fact that 13 of his 56 points on the year came during the Flyers’ hottest stretch. Big players show up in big games, and Voracek did just that.
2. Travis Konecny
Philadelphia’s resident chirp master had nine games to remember spanning from February 18 to March 7. In that time period, Konecny tallied five goals and added eight helpers. The Flyers’ leading scorer averaged 15:15 per night and was a (+4) as well. Konecny had three three-point games during the Flyers’ win streak, coming against San Jose and Columbus twice.
While considering the season TK is having, it shouldn’t surprise us that he has been as successful as he has. It’s still something to behold watching him blossom into the scrappy, high-energy playmaker who can put up points on a consistent basis.
1. Carter Hart
Who else but Carter Hart? Out of the nine games during the streak, Hart got the start, and win, in seven of them. In those seven games, Hart faced 208 shots. He stopped all but 12 of them, en route to a .942 save percentage and 1.71 goals against average. Given, all but one of those games came at home, but his road start against the Rangers proved he can hang tough long enough to get the win.
Hart’s home record is phenomenal, along with his stats (20-3-2 w/ .943 sv% & 1.63GAA.) He’s been shaky on the road, but the one game he started during this last stretch could be the catalyst for a strong playoff run, if the playoffs happen this year.
Mandatory Credit – © Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
