usatsi_23017906
The Philadelphia Flyers lived to fight another day for their spot in the playoffs, only needing one goal to give them a critical win over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.
The Flyers can still clinch a wild card position, although both the players and head coach John Tortorella have admitted that their focus is on the result that they control against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday rather than keeping a close eye on the other scores needed to help them advance to the postseason.
One Goal Is All It Takes
Travis Konecny’s shorthanded goal proved to be enough to give the Flyers two points, giving Sam Ersson his fourth shutout of the season, and showing that the Flyers can hold on to narrow leads.
The Devils certainly had some dangerous chances, but the Flyers were able to keep them quiet throughout the game. While, in the past, they’ve allowed their opposition back into the game when they’ve been up by 1-2 goals, they did an excellent job of keeping their lead in this game. It shows the strides they’ve made defensively, and was a prime showcase of just how badly they want to make it to the postseason. Seeing them consistently hold strong across the entire 60 minutes should be enough to show any doubters that they do, in fact, care about this playoff push.
Sam Ersson Is So Back
One of the most persistent storylines since January was that Sam Ersson was being overworked and was supremely exhausted by the workload he had been given. While he did show some signs of fatigue, his last two games have proven Tortorella right when he said that “just when you think you’ve lost [Ersson], he bounces back.”
This shutout is a pretty perfect way to cap off Ersson’s return to his best form, showing that while he did experience a bit of a dip (he is a rookie playing double the amount of games he was expected to play, after all), he knows how to pick himself up and get back to where the team needs him to be. He’s never lost the confidence of the organization, so much so that Tortorella basically confirmed that he would get the start in net for the Flyers’ final regular season game against the Washington Capitals, saying, “He’s got one more in him.”
So You’re Saying There’s A Chance?
It’ll depend on other results, but, yes, there is a clinching scenario for the Flyers on Tuesday. The Flyers may not be paying too much attention to what other teams are doing (clinching is dependent on them getting a win first and foremost), but fans have been monitoring the various clinching scenarios like hawks after the team cleared the first hurdle against the Devils.
All eyes on Tuesday now…
Make sure to bookmark THN’s Philadelphia Flyers site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
Flyers Prospect Wins Second National Championship
Travis Konecny Hits Another Career Milestone; Flyers Get Crucial Win Against Devils
‘I Became A Man In Philadelphia’: Wayne Simmonds Reflects On His Impact On Flyers, City’s Impact On Him
Flyers Prospect Headed To NCAA Championship Game
Wayne Simmonds Officially Signs One-Day Contract With Flyers
Travis Konecny Sets New Career High; Flyers Take Two Points Against Rangers
News Related-
The best Walmart Cyber Monday deals 2023
-
Jordan Poole took time to showboat and got his shot blocked into the stratosphere
-
The Top Canadian REITs to Buy in November 2023
-
OpenAI’s board might have been dysfunctional–but they made the right choice. Their defeat shows that in the battle between AI profits and ethics, it’s no contest
-
Russia-Ukraine Drone Warfare Rages With Dozens Headed for Moscow, Amid Deadly Winter Storm
-
Trump tells appeals court that threats to judge and clerk in NY civil fraud trial do not justify gag order
-
Can Anyone Take Paxlovid for Covid? Doctors Explain.
-
Google this week will begin deleting inactive accounts. Here's how to save yours.
-
How John Tortorella's Culture Extends from the Philadelphia Flyers to the AHL Phantoms
-
Tri-Cities' hatcheries report best Coho return in years
-
Wild release Dean Evason of head coaching duties
-
Air New Zealand’s Cyber Monday Sale Has the 'Lowest Fares of 2023' to Auckland, Sydney, and More
-
NDP tells Liberals to sweeten the deal if pharmacare legislation is delayed
-
'1,000 contacts with a club': Tiger Woods breaks down his typical tournament prep to college kids in fascinating video