Leigh'd Back: Flyers Strike First, Finish Big

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Fie-nah-lee. The Flyers have shaken off their four-game losing streak, winning a sloppy game on warm ice in south Florida, 5-2. They were able to nail down two out of three of everyone's generic keys to the game: scoring first and finishing strong. The third key, playing all 60 minutes, continues to elude them, and that hefty margin of victory is probably a little misleading if you didn't see the game. With 3 minutes left in regulation, the Flyers were up just one goal after giving up a two-goal lead. Still, a win is a win, and clawing two points out of a team that's ahead of you in the standings is that much better. And, it was encouraging to see them put the game away instead of wilting.  

First up, props to the "fourth" line of Dan Carcillo, Ian Laperriere, and especially Blair Betts (the forward lines logged pretty even minutes at even strength). It's well-documented that this is a better team with Betts on the ice, and tonight, he did more than just the little muck-and-grind things and his usual faceoff and PK role-playing. The checking line threw pucks on the net with more efficacy than most Flyers scoring lines have in weeks, generating those lucky-strike scoring attempts that are known for breaking scoring droughts. Betts notched two goals, admitting after the game that he didn't even know the first one was his until he got to the bench. 

A big part of the Flyers' success in the first period was the lack of discipline by Rick Tocchet's team. Now I know what it feels like to watch your team play the Flyers. The Lightning took five minors to the Flyers' two, both of which were assessed to Carcillo. We've seen that Chico can giveth the powerplay, but tonight he again showed that he can take them away too. After crosschecking Vinny Lecavalier, the 'Ning forward was so pissed at Carcillo that he took two shots at his groin area with the stick. Powerplay averted, and Lavvy will trade Carcillo for Lecavalier all night. Of course, in the second, the Flyers gave those three minors back. They weren't beaten on the Lightning powerplays, but they probably didn't help any. 

In other special teams success stories, Richie was able to convert a PPG in the first period on a great pass from Simon Gagne. Richards also scored in the third period, ripping a keeper shot on a 2-on-1 to give him an even pair on the night. After going toe to toe with his captain counterpart in the game against the Panthers, which they ultimately lost, Richie led in another way tonight by scoring a separating goal in the first, and an insurance tally to close out the game in the third. 

It wasn't bad to see Simon Gagne work hard to get the party goal with the empty net either. Right now, the Flyers need as many guys on the scoresheet as possible. 

Michael Leighton looked a little overwhelmed at times, particularly when Victor Hedman blew a howitzer past him in the second, but overall, his positioning was solid, and he gave the team plenty of room to win. I was a lot more impressed than I thought I'd be, and we'll have to wait and see if Lavvy starts him for some revenge against the Hurricanes after Christmas. Anyone else think it's odd he's still just taping over his 'Canes mask? A goalie with his brand of staying power should probably keep a plain white on file.

It wasn't all pretty, but not playing their best and still scoring five goals could be the type of win that gets them back on track. What's that? Don't get too excited over one win? Effff that, we needed this. Hopefully the team is feeling that same release right now. 

Bonus! Ian Laperriere's new mask, courtesy of Santa Coatesy. 

 

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