The Philadelphia Flyers are clinging to their playoff hopes, and one key factor keeping those hopes alive is their performance in back-to-back game situations. This season, they've turned things around significantly in the second halves of these matchups.
Last year, the Flyers struggled mightily with a 1-10-2 record in such scenarios. Fast forward to this season, and they’ve improved to a respectable 5-5-1, highlighted by two recent victories.
These wins weren't against easy opponents either. They pulled off an overtime win in Minnesota after playing Washington the night before, and then followed up a gutsy overtime victory in Anaheim with a shootout win over the Kings in Los Angeles.
So, what's behind this turnaround? For starters, the Flyers are getting valuable contributions from their lower lines.
Coach Rick Tocchet even slotted defenseman Emil Andrae into the fourth-line center spot due to injuries, and it paid off. Goaltender Sam Ersson has also been crucial, often taking on the tougher second game of back-to-backs and delivering performances that have nudged his record above .500, like his standout showing against the Kings.
As the season winds down, the importance of these back-to-back wins can't be overstated. With the Olympics affecting the schedule, the Flyers face three more of these challenging sets.
Sitting six points out of a playoff spot with 14 games left, they need to capitalize on every opportunity. Upcoming back-to-backs include matchups against Detroit-Dallas, Detroit-New York Islanders, and Carolina-Montreal.
Winning the first game in these sets is crucial, as there's little room for error.
Securing the Future
Flyers GM Daniel Briere faces critical decisions regarding contract extensions for key players. Trevor Zegras is set to become a free agent, and while goaltender Dan Vladar is under contract for next season, his stellar performance this year suggests the Flyers should avoid a bidding war down the line.
Both players have exceeded expectations-Zegras with his playmaking and shootout prowess, and Vladar with his consistent goaltending. Locking them in with market-value contracts seems essential for the Flyers' future success.
Power-Play Woes
The Flyers' power play has been a persistent issue, and addressing it should be a priority when the free-agent market opens in July. Currently, they’re on track to finish last in the NHL with the man advantage for the fourth time in five years. Beyond Zegras’ eight power-play goals, no other player has more than four, which simply won’t suffice.
Close games have slipped away due to power-play inefficiency, a frustration for Coach Tocchet. A drop in performance from key players like Travis Konecny, who scored eight power-play goals last season but only one this year, hasn't helped.
The Flyers might benefit from a more direct approach-less passing, more shooting, and focusing on gritty goals rather than perfect plays. This shift could be key to turning their power-play fortunes around.