Flyers Game
Three Flyers Thoughts: Pelletier Getting Hot, Ersson’s Strong Game, & an Important Reminder
The Philadelphia Flyers keep finding ways to win games under Brad Shaw. In six games of the Brad Shaw era, the Flyers are 5-1-0, with the only loss coming to the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre.
Their newly found winning ways continued into Saturday afternoon, as the Flyers won a 4-3 shootout victory over the New York Islanders.
Here are three thoughts from Saturday’s game:
Read More: Foerster Stays Hot, Flyers Beat the Islanders 4-3 in a Shootout
Jakob Pelletier is Heating Up for the Flyers
I could sit here and write more about Tyson Foerster (who scored twice on Saturday and is now tied for the team lead in goals), but that drum is beginning to be beaten a little too often.
Instead, I want to focus on another Flyer that is starting to heat up. Jakob Pelletier is beginning to catch his groove in Philadelphia and has helped the Flyers get another solid line. Pelletier scored what was a game-tying goal early in the second period. That was his second goal in as many games.
Pelletier now has six points (3G, 3A) in his last seven games, and five points (3G, 2A) in the six games after the Flyers’ coaching change. After the game, Pelletier referenced the fact that he was finally catching his footing in Calgary before he got traded. He said it’s nice to be getting into a groove here in Philadelphia.
He is certainly playing himself right into a role with the Flyers next season.
Sam Ersson’s Stellar Game
One of the biggest takeaways from Saturday’s game, to me anyway, is the importance of finding a good 1B goalie to pair with Sam Ersson.
“But Ersson played well. Why does that mean the Flyers should prioritize bringing in a goalie,” one may ask. I would respond by saying it is because Sam Ersson was well-rested. The Flyers’ goaltender had a week of rest in between starts. It showed in his play, and the Flyers benefited from it, especially in the shootout.
Ersson was not perfect, as evidenced by Bo Horvat’s game-tying goal and Noah Dobson’s late-second-period goal.
However, Ersson made a number of big saves and looked the sharpest in the shootout. Usually, goaltenders deteriorate the longer they’re on the ice, but Ersson only got better with time. He did let in the game-tying score late in the game, but the Flyers are not in a position to win that game if it weren’t for Ersson’s 37-save performance.
Ersson showed how well he plays when he gets a proper rest, which is why finding a solution for his backup should be a top priority this offseason.
Read More: Report: Western Conference Team Not Happy With Rumors Around the Flyers
Important Reminder: Winning Games is a Good Thing
I want to preface by saying I, as much as the next guy, would be thrilled with a top four or five draft selection. However, at what cost is it worth it? It feels as if we have reached the point now where we have forgotten that winning is actually the goal of playing the game.
The Flyers’ season has been a disaster. It has not been much fun to watch this team. So why not enjoy it while we can? Winning late-season games is not all bad. The team can pick up good habits to carry into next season. Games become more exciting when the team is winning–that is not just a Flyers thing; every team is more exciting when they are winning games.
Another important reminder: Saturday’s win does not count the Flyers out of the No. 4-overall pre-lottery spot. The Flyers have played one more game than the Kraken and Bruins, the two teams ahead of them. The Flyers are ahead of the Kraken by one point and two points ahead of the Bruins. With both teams having two games remaining, they just need to win one to jump the Flyers.
Regardless, a good prospect will still be available at No.5 or even No.6, so it’s not worth panicking over a win. Enjoy the wins; they are a good thing.
Read More: Buy Tyson Foerster Stock Now
For more Flyers news and up-to-date coverage, visit Philly Hockey Now and like our Facebook page.
Follow us on 𝕏:
@wmjsports
@PhillyHockeyNow
First of all, the Bruins and Kraken each have two games left, not four. The Flyers still have three left and at this point, the Flyers are at #6, with Boston at 4 and Seattle at 5. The Bruins are in full tank mode at this point. They lost at home the other night to Chicago and are 5-14-1 in their last 20 games and 2-8 in their last 10. Flyers are at 6 and if they keep winning, their finale over Buffalo will put them at 7 and bad ping pong balls could cause it to go to 8, either way, 7/8 gets an adequate prospect versus 4, where they were less than a week ago gets a great prospect.
But supposedly momentum from one year will carry over to the next, LOL. They’ll even possibly contemplate bringing Shaw back because of this up tick.
Still like to be in the top 5 draft position……more and more looking at Anton Frondell, from Sweden as the selection….6′, approx. 200 lb center.
The frustrating part of the flyers winning more now is probably like the majority of most of the fan base,where was this when it mattered.I don’t see what playing well now has to do with what happens when training camp opens in September,that is just my personal opinion.I will say the flyers have some talented prospects throughout all levels of hockey, it’s just all about getting them together and to gel with the current players.But most importantly is the players need to follow the system the coaches set up and play at both ends of the ice,and above all play with Consistency,at every position.
I mean more about guys like Tyson Foerster, Jakob Pelletier, Michkov, even Tippett to an extent, are all growing as players, and figuring out their games. If they can figure these things out now, and carry it into their offseason workouts and such, it will translate in September at camp. Although, that is my opinion as well, so some may not agree!
If ur telling me I could get frondell or the 200 foot center. For 1 or 2 spots in the draft because of 1 or 2 games of good habits at the end of the season that’s wild . The flyers need more talent and if they get a 2c and could have gotten a possible 1c because of 2 wins when they didn’t matter that’s tough. Yes 200 feet could turn out great and For the draft you don’t know how it will turn out but I would like them to be in the best position possible.
This comment!!!
Wrong. It is worth panicking over meaningless wins to end a terrible season, especially when they cost us more ping pong balls to nab the top 5 pick we desperately need. They haven’t been able to win well all season, and now when it matters they can’t even lose well.