Why the Flyers are the Team to Beat in the Eastern Conference
It all starts with the Philadelphia Flyers mascot, Gritty.
Personally I think he looks Fubar (look that up in the urban dictionary), but exemplifies what this team is all about, TRUE GRIT.
Prior to 2020’s unforeseen break due to COVID, this team had been playing playoff-level hockey for two months. They may have been the best team playing for a legitimate spot; in their last ten games they had only lost once.
Now onto the best part – the Flyers lineup.
Their goalie, Chris Hart was among the top ten in the NHL with a 2.42 Goal Against Average.
23-year-old Travis Konecny is having one of his best NHL years leading the team with 61 points.
Next is another Canadian kid named Sean Couturier with 51 points and on pace to match his personal best.
A veteran Czech by the name of Jakub Voracek with 56 points and skating like he is 20 again.
Last but surely not least is Claude Giroux who is the word GRIT and it pains me to say that. He is fourth on the team with 53 points and number one in HEART.
Did I mention the defense led by the Russian professional Ivan Provorov with 36 points respectfully?
Oh, and by the way, they have long-time American defenseman that goes by the name Matt Niskanen with 33 points.
So why the Flyers and not the Bruins or Capitals or Penguins, or some other team? Well my hockey IQ says they shake off the layoff dust first.
I hate to be the coach who has to roll four effective lines against this team every night when it matters most. Veterans, youth, chemistry, and GRIT are going to make this team hard to beat.
For two months I watched this team grow into one of the best Flyers teams I’ve seen in quite some time.
We saw how good this team can be last night, as the Flyers demolished the Tampa Bay Lightning, to lock up the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The Flyers are now the team to beat.
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Headline Photo Credit: YahooSports
