The team to watch now that the Eagles postseason is over is the orange & black. Currently, the Flyers lead the NHL with 69 points and are 9-2-0 in their last 11 games, including wins over the Capitals, Red Wings and the Blackhawks. All of this teams' lines are a threat to score and Danny Briere (25 goals), Jeff Carter (22 goals) and Claude Giroux (18 goals) are leading this team to quite a memorable season thus far. A fun fact...the Flyers are 26-1-2 when leading after two periods. That brings up the question, what do the Flyers need to think about as new years resolutions?
1. Improve the power play - All Flyers fans get pumped at games when they go on the "PEEEEECCCCCOOOOOOO POWER PLAY". It is tough to say that the Flyers carry their fans momentum into their man advantages, because they struggle to score. Ranked 20th in the league, the Flyers score on about 16.6% of their power play opportunities (31 goals on 187 opportunities). They have the playmakers to score but it seems like they take forever to set up their offense. One of the things this team is known for is shorthanded goals. They lead the league with seven on the year, which is also a big part of their league leading 119 goals. Richards and Giroux each have three. It goes without saying that the orange & black would be even more dangerous than they already are if they get their power play together.
2. Establish a number one goalie - Although many people may disagree with this, I believe that this season needs to be used as one to establish a #1 netminder. Both Sergei Bobrovsky and Brian Boucher have had great seasons to this point and their numbers prove it. Bobrovsky, also known as just 'Bob', has been a huge surprise this year and has had games that make Flyers fans believe he is the goalie of the future. With a record of 20-6-3, Bob holds a .919 save percentage in 31 games. Brian Boucher has also surprised fans with a solid season so far. In 20 games, he is 11-6-2 with a .916 save percentage. From the games I have watched this year, Bobrovsky is more flexible and has quicker movement from post to post. Boucher does hold a slight advantage in goals against average but Bob looks to be the favorite to eventually emerge as the #1. Head coach Laviolette has the habit of sticking with the hot hand, which is a good strategy but come playoff time, I believe a #1 goalie needs to be chosen. It makes sense to give each netminder a rest and during the season, it is easier to switch from Bob to Bouch regularly. I believe if this trend continues in the postseason, it will be a disadvantage. Having one goalie get in a groove is extremely important during the playoffs and I think Bob has proven that he deserves that chance. I will back the team either way, but I think the nod should go to the Flyers goalie of the future.
3. Hold the lead & keep the momentum - This one is pretty obvious for every team. Although they are 26-1-2 leading after the second period, the most recent game against the Capitals and another game against the Bruins worries me in the third period. With 50 goals against in the final period, the Flyers are among the league's worst in that category. Given, the team is leading the league with 69 points, but holding the lead in big games during the final period is huge. The Capitals are a very dangerous team and to see this Flyers team collapse in the third to give up a two-goal lead was not something any of us want to see. The bottom line is that the Flyers have the capability to win a championship with this team and as long as they keep playing the way they do, good things will happen.
Make sure to keep your eyes open for Part III of this New Years Resolutions special as the Sixers are next on the hot seat. How will I be able to pick just three resolutions for the city's forgotten franchise?
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