Like professional wrestler Randy Orton striking an unsuspecting opponent with his “RKO” finishing maneuver, the Philadelphia Flyers have come out of nowhere to grab a playoff spot as the regular season winds to a close.
Philadelphia, which has won nine of 12 (9-3-0), looked dead in the water after losing 12 of 15 (3-8-4) entering the Olympic break. But now the Flyers are just four points back of the archrival Pittsburgh Penguins for second place in the Metropolitan Division, with each team having four games left.
By going 15-6-1 since the NHL restarted Feb. 25, the Flyers have improved their playoff odds by 40.4 percentage points — second only to the Ottawa Senators, whose playoff odds have risen by 70.4 percentage points.
“I’m really proud of how the guys are battling,” Flyers general manager Danny Briere told NBC Sports Philadelphia last week. “It would have been easy to pack it in a few weeks ago, but no, these guys keep fighting for (the playoffs).”
Philadelphia’s reversal of fortune has been powered by a renewed commitment to defence, specifically off the rush. The Flyers, who ranked 16th in rush scoring chances against per 60 minutes at the Olympic break, are No. 1 in that category over the past six weeks. They have also improved from 12th to first in odd-man rushes against per 60 in that span. Over the past 15 games, the Flyers have the highest scoring-chance (plus-34) and goal (plus-12) differential off the rush of any team in the league.
In addition, the Flyers have made it much harder for opponents to access the slot after they have entered the zone. Philadelphia has allowed the fourth-fewest slot shots on net and sixth-fewest slot-driving plays (passes and carries) per 60 since Feb. 25. The Flyers were 12th and 17th in those areas before the break, respectively.
“The neutral zone can win or lose you games,” Flyers coach Rick Tocchet told reporters. “I would say eight to 10 years ago, (it was) probably last on the list for coaches. You always worried about the (offensive and defensive zones). … I think we’ve been clogging up (the neutral zone) pretty (well).”
Stronger defence has made life easier for goaltenders Dan Vladar and Samuel Ersson, who have responded by recording 17 combined quality starts in 22 tries (77.3 per cent) and saving 15.9 goals above expected. The latter figure ranks eighth in the league since Feb. 25. Vladar, in particular, has had a breakout season in his first year as a starter. His 75 per cent quality-start rate this season (36-of-48) is tied for seventh, and his 30.4 goals saved above expected are 11th.
On the offensive end, 19-year-old rookie forward Porter Martone has provided an instant boost. Martone, whom the Flyers drafted sixth overall last summer, has four points in his first five games and recently became the second-youngest player in league history to score his first career goal in overtime. Since debuting March 31, Martone leads Philadelphia in scoring chances (15) and slot shots on net (11). His line with Travis Konecny and Christian Dvorak has outscored opponents 3-1 at five-on-five.
“I didn’t really get a training camp to adjust,” Martone told reporters. “I feel like I kind of got thrown into the thick of it. We’re in the playoff picture. But everyone in this locker room has done a tremendous job from the coaching staff and players, just really getting me ready.”
Forward Tyson Foerster’s earlier-than-anticipated return from arm surgery has also strengthened the Flyers’ offence. He has three goals in four games after missing four months of action, joining Trevor Zegras and Owen Tippett on the top forward line. In 35:35 of ice time at five-on-five since Foerster’s return, Philadelphia’s No. 1 line has generated 69.3 per cent of the expected goals.
If the Flyers make the playoffs, it will be the first time for many of their players. Philadelphia’s lineup against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday had a combined 158 games of playoff experience, led by veteran fourth-line forward Luke Glendening (50). Eleven of the 19 players who appeared in the Flyers’ 5-1 win have never experienced post-season hockey in the NHL, including defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen, whose 817 career games are the most by an active player without a playoff appearance. (Vladar has made two relief appearances but zero starts in the playoffs.)
“These are the games that you want to play with each other and for each other,” Flyers defenceman Nick Seeler told reporters after the win against the Devils. “It’s been a blast. I think this group has come together since the Olympic break, more than ever.”
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