NHL Daily: Frost a Key for Flyers; Alex Lyon Sparks Fla. Past Leafs

The Philadelphia Flyers are thin at center. That makes the development of Flyers prospect Cutter Gauthier — a freshman center at Boston College who could be NHL-ready — so important.

It’s also imperative they get continued development from center Morgan Frost, 23, who has blossomed in the season’s second half. Frost has been the Flyers’ leading scorer since Jan. 1, and he has opened the eyes of coach John Tortorella and interim general manager Danny Briere.

Tortorella, who was critical of Frost early in the season, had lots of good things to say about him after his two-goal performance Tuesday.

In November, he said Frost was “up and down like a toilet seat.” Now he’s calling him a 200-foot player. Frost’s goal total has climbed to 16.

Meanwhile, former Flyers goalie Alex Lyon, subbing for the ill Sergei Bobrovsky, made 38 saves as Florida snapped a four-game losing streak and defeated host Toronto in overtime, 3-2. The Panthers moved to within one point of inconsistent Pittsburgh for the final wild-card spot.

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Around the NHL and National Hockey Now

Philly Hockey Now: With 16 goals, Morgan Frost is developing into the player the Flyers were expecting when they selected him in the first round of the 2017 draft. Philadelphia Flyers.

Florida Hockey Now: Alex Lyon was superb, and Brandon Montour scored in overtime as Florida rallied past Toronto, 3-2. Florida Panthers.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Why, wonders Dan Kingerski, are the Penguins so self-destructive? Pittsburgh Penguins.

Montreal Hockey Now: The Habs seemingly used a weaker lineup against the Flyers to help their draft-lottery chances, suggests Marco D’Amico. Montreal Canadiens.

Boston Hockey Now: The Bruins signed Boston College forward Trevor Kuntar, a free agent, to a two-year entry-level contract. He is coming off his best season at BC, collecting 29 points (13-16) in 34 games. Boston Bruins.

New York Islanders Hockey Now: The Islanders moved five points ahead of Pittsburgh for the first wild-card spot as thy beat host Washington, 2-1, in a shootout. Kyle Palmieri had the shootout winner. The Caps have lost five of their last six games, and their playoff chances are hanging by a thread. New York Islanders.