Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers Battle Back, Withstand Blue Jackets in 3-2 Win

A solid team effort last night leads to the Flyers picking up two points. Columbus doesn't have the most skilled roster but they work very hard and are a tough team to play against.

Bill - after last night the Flyers are now 13-7-5 with 31 points. NHL.com is not yet correctly updated after last night's games.

I thought that record seemed one game off. Good eye, dcflyerfan71!

Loved what I saw from Pitlick last night. Elliott really bailed them out, especially in the final few minutes. Really nice to see some consistent goaltending for a change!

Nice win. I hope they can ride this momentum for a while.

Pitlick has really come into his own. His tenacity and willingness to get his hands dirty make him a valuable player. Players like that tend to light a fire under their teammates, and I think that has been the case lately. He's turning out to be a great off-season pickup by Chuck.
Braun has been a lot more sound the last few games as well. Keeping his +/- in check and solidifying our D.
Not sure what they will do with Ghost. This group has really put it together the last few games. I'm assuming they get Ghost back in for one of the back-to-back games, but he better play smart hockey or he'll be hanging in the press box again.
Go Flyers!

Pitlick has really come into his own. His tenacity and willingness to get his hands dirty make him a valuable player. Players like that tend to light a fire under their teammates, and I think that has been the case lately. He's turning out to be a great off-season pickup by Chuck.
Braun has been a lot more sound the last few games as well. Keeping his +/- in check and solidifying our D.
Not sure what they will do with Ghost. This group has really put it together the last few games. I'm assuming they get Ghost back in for one of the back-to-back games, but he better play smart hockey or he'll be hanging in the press box again.
Go Flyers!
- dramado

Fourth line is playing with energy ( a couple of other forwards should take note). This was a nice win, but I'm still mildly concerned with the late defensive shell they go into.

There’s no doubt they tend to play different when they have a lead late in games. They seem to be hanging on by the skin of their teeth a lot, but timely saves have been the difference lately. Hopefully they can become more confident with leads late in games as the season carries on, bc they can’t depend on Elliot and Hart to bail them out every game like that. Overall though, I’m really liking what I’m seeing lately. The team overall has looked a lot more cohesive, and they seem to be working hard (for the most part).

There’s no doubt they tend to play different when they have a lead late in games. They seem to be hanging on by the skin of their teeth a lot, but timely saves have been the difference lately. Hopefully they can become more confident with leads late in games as the season carries on, bc they can’t depend on Elliot and Hart to bail them out every game like that. Overall though, I’m really liking what I’m seeing lately. The team overall has looked a lot more cohesive, and they seem to be working hard (for the most part).
- dramado

Solid posts. It's a process. Vigneault has the team playing a structured team game. They're a solid defensive team. They're integrating young players into the team and players are taking on larger roles. There is significant growth among the young players. It's always been about more talent, speed and skill into the lineup. The foundation is there. The better the younger players get, the better the Flyers will be obviously. The disappointing part is the play of veteran players. Gostisbehere, Voracek, Hayes, vanRiemsdyke and Giroux have not provided enough offensively. Hayes personally has been very disappointing to me. If those players can raise their games to the level that they're capable of, that can make a difference.
It seems in situations like this for a developing team, the offense is the last to fill in. Hopefully that picks up and they can turn some of these close games into convincing wins.

While JVR needs to score he is involved in the plays. Two goals he was in front and directly contributed to the goals. He has also been much better on the D side.

He continues to get chances, if they start going in and he maintains his play you have that big power forward who can score and is solid on the d side


Hayes is a disappointment, he is a one dimensional D player and struggle on the dot. Two goals last 3 games, let’s hope the back to back brings him some points

With the parody in the league, if AV continues to improve THIS squad, they will make some noise.

Ghost

The flyers keep playing well and Haggs value goes up, just a thought

While JVR needs to score he is involved in the plays. Two goals he was in front and directly contributed to the goals. He has also been much better on the D side.

He continues to get chances, if they start going in and he maintains his play you have that big power forward who can score and is solid on the d side


Hayes is a disappointment, he is a one dimensional D player and struggle on the dot. Two goals last 3 games, let’s hope the back to back brings him some points

With the parody in the league, if AV continues to improve THIS squad, they will make some noise.
- wcorvette

hayes contract compared to the new coyle one.....

Solid posts. It's a process. Vigneault has the team playing a structured team game. They're a solid defensive team. They're integrating young players into the team and players are taking on larger roles. There is significant growth among the young players. It's always been about more talent, speed and skill into the lineup. The foundation is there. The better the younger players get, the better the Flyers will be obviously. The disappointing part is the play of veteran players. Gostisbehere, Voracek, Hayes, vanRiemsdyke and Giroux have not provided enough offensively. Hayes personally has been very disappointing to me. If those players can raise their games to the level that they're capable of, that can make a difference.
It seems in situations like this for a developing team, the offense is the last to fill in. Hopefully that picks up and they can turn some of these close games into convincing wins.
- MJL

I think you're correct in regards to the offense being the last thing to come on developing teams. Once the vets get over this hump, and I do think most are turning a corner somewhat, we will be a team that can close out games like this more consistently. I'm just very happy with how our youth and depth players have been playing this season. There will be hiccups here and there for the young guys, but overall they have played like they belong in the NHL.

While JVR needs to score he is involved in the plays. Two goals he was in front and directly contributed to the goals. He has also been much better on the D side.

He continues to get chances, if they start going in and he maintains his play you have that big power forward who can score and is solid on the d side


Hayes is a disappointment, he is a one dimensional D player and struggle on the dot. Two goals last 3 games, let’s hope the back to back brings him some points

With the parody in the league, if AV continues to improve THIS squad, they will make some noise.
- wcorvette

I disagree. He has offensive skill and he has had chances to score goals. Like most of the team they just arent going in. He made some bad plays last night but Hayes is a good two way power forward and actually has 4 points in the last 5 games.

Ghost

The flyers keep playing well and Haggs value goes up, just a thought
- wcorvette

if you want a say 3rd rd pick decent prospect then sure trade hagg. I think he has more value to the flyers than what he will bring in a trade. Especially with the goal being making the playoffs.

Solid posts. It's a process. Vigneault has the team playing a structured team game. They're a solid defensive team. They're integrating young players into the team and players are taking on larger roles. There is significant growth among the young players. It's always been about more talent, speed and skill into the lineup. The foundation is there. The better the younger players get, the better the Flyers will be obviously. The disappointing part is the play of veteran players. Gostisbehere, Voracek, Hayes, vanRiemsdyke and Giroux have not provided enough offensively. Hayes personally has been very disappointing to me. If those players can raise their games to the level that they're capable of, that can make a difference.
It seems in situations like this for a developing team, the offense is the last to fill in. Hopefully that picks up and they can turn some of these close games into convincing wins.
- MJL

I have no issues with how Giroux and Jake have played recently. JVR and Hayes aren't producing. OL has slowed down. While not a forward Elliot has played like a different person vs last year. Provy seems to be back to his level of play also.

To me it's clear that Coots and TK make this team go right now and that to me is exciting. If Coots can stay healthy I can't think of a single reason why he wouldn't be a Selke finalist.

Most exciting to me is the fact that this a young players team now with TK, OL, Farabee, Frost, Sanheim, Myers, Hart, Provy, Hagg, all being under the age of 25 and all having major roles. Hell our best player in Coots is just entering his prime.

The PK is in the top 5 in the league which is amazing coming out of last year. The PP is struggling with a middle of the league output.

So far I have been very happy with AV as the coach.

Not everything is wonderful though. As young teams do they have given up too many leads. Offensively, short of TK, the whole team has been inconsistent in producing. Hart has been dominant and struggled. They also lack physical play outside of a few hits here and there.

All of the above being said I see this season as an improvement over the past few and look forward to the rest.

Haag was solid last night! Perhaps his best game ive seen him play. He was blocking pucks, making hits, active stick in the lane, body work....

Haag was one of the most noticable D last night to me

I disagree. He has offensive skill and he has had chances to score goals. Like most of the team they just arent going in. He made some bad plays last night but Hayes is a good two way power forward and actually has 4 points in the last 5 games.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

We're past the point of looking at the veteran players on paper and what skills they have. They need to produce.

I have no issues with how Giroux and Jake have played recently. JVR and Hayes aren't producing. OL has slowed down. While not a forward Elliot has played like a different person vs last year. Provy seems to be back to his level of play also.

To me it's clear that Coots and TK make this team go right now and that to me is exciting. If Coots can stay healthy I can't think of a single reason why he wouldn't be a Selke finalist.

Most exciting to me is the fact that this a young players team now with TK, OL, Farabee, Frost, Sanheim, Myers, Hart, Provy, Hagg, all being under the age of 25 and all having major roles. Hell our best player in Coots is just entering his prime.

The PK is in the top 5 in the league which is amazing coming out of last year. The PP is struggling with a middle of the league output.

So far I have been very happy with AV as the coach.

Not everything is wonderful though. As young teams do they have given up too many leads. Offensively, short of TK, the whole team has been inconsistent in producing. Hart has been dominant and struggled. They also lack physical play outside of a few hits here and there.

All of the above being said I see this season as an improvement over the past few and look forward to the rest.
- opeth_pa

The thing I see with Konecny that has me most excited is that he's not just an offensive and spark plug player. He has really developed his play away from the puck. He made numerous quality defensive plays last night. I didn't think this would happen but I now trust Konecny as an all situations player. I wouldn't change the PK because it's doing so well but he might be able to play there also.

Ghost

The flyers keep playing well and Haggs value goes up, just a thought
- wcorvette

On one shift he had three good hits

Flyers prospect defenseman Mason Millman with a 3 point effort Wednesday night. Rewarded with first star honors. Was a plus 5 in the game. Millman now has 14 points in 24 games this season with Saginaw in the OHL.

The thing I see with Konecny that has me most excited is that he's not just an offensive and spark plug player. He has really developed his play away from the puck. He made numerous quality defensive plays last night. I didn't think this would happen but I now trust Konecny as an all situations player. I wouldn't change the PK because it's doing so well but he might be able to play there also.
- MJL

Also his board play. Like lindblom a lot of times he always seems to find the puck along the boards.

Depth was really good last night. Laughton getting his pace back. They really do miss him when he is out. Pitlick has a nice shot and looks happy to use it. The d-pairing are gelling. The PP needs to get it figured out.

Bill - after last night the Flyers are now 13-7-5 with 31 points. NHL.com is not yet correctly updated after last night's games.
- dcflyerfan71

What is the first tie breaker? Wins? They have 2 more than us and are listed ahead of us, but we have head to head wins?

What is the first tie breaker? Wins? They have 2 more than us and are listed ahead of us, but we have head to head wins?
- section32

Fewer games played during the season. At the end of the season, ROW