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Flyers Look to Take Advantage of Struggling Devils

April 18, 2013

New Jersey has lost 10 straight. Philadelphia has won two in a row and are looking to keep going. Will the skid halt in Philly or will the Flyers keep hot and make the standings more interesting?

Who Should Stay, Who Should Go?

April 18, 2013

Jordan Kuhns

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Only five games remain in this lockout-shortened regular season for the Philadelphia Flyers. These five games serve as a tryout period for players to show why they should or shouldn't stay beyond next season. Some players have already been written off, as it may not make much sense to keep for the future.

Many difficult decisions have to be made this summer, including players that have had extended stints as Flyers.

Flyers Extend Rinaldo, Rosehill

April 17, 2013

John Russo

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The Flyers are making sure the 2013-14 team has some muscle next season.

They did so by extending the contracts of two enforcers, Zac Rinaldo and Jay Rosehill. Both received two-year extensions.

Rinaldo will make an average salary of $750,000 for the next two seasons. Rosehill's annual hit will be $675,000.

Couturier's Role Increasing As Season Winds Down

April 17, 2013

Alicia Sprenkle

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With a horrible season coming to a close, it's time to count the positives

The easiest way to feel positive about things in the present for the Flyers is to relate them to the future. And the best way to do that is to take a look at the youth.

We are seeing Oliver Lauridsen and Erik Gustafsson get playing time, the Schenn's (Older brother Luke and younger brother Brayden) are both standing out in a good way, and Sean Couturier is taking advantage of increased ice time.

Couturier, specifically, is fantastic news. He went from a dazzling rookie to a player in a serious sophomore slump.

(Photo by John Russo/The Checking Line)

Flyers Making Due With "Patchwork Defense"

April 17, 2013

John Russo

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“Patchwork” may not be the nicest word to use to describe Philadelphia’s defensive situation right now, but it is the most appropriate.

After last night’s 4-2 win at home over division rival New York, Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette was asked a question that was worded in a way which Laviolette had to point out.

"They probably wouldn’t like to be called that, if I was guessing," Laviolette said when asked about his “patchwork defense,” drawing some laughs from the reporters after the game.

He was quick to follow with praise for some of the guys stepping in at the most desperate of times.

(Pictured: Kimmo Timonen (left) and Luke Schenn (right) during warm-ups. Photo by John Russo/The Checking Line)

Mason Steals Show in Philly; Shuts Down Rangers

April 16, 2013

John Russo

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It's not often the Flyers play against Henrik Lundqvist and say that the goaltending was the difference-maker in a victory over New York.

Steve Mason was lights-out despite his team's poor offensive showing. His effort enabled the Flyers to steal a 4-2 win from the Rangers despite being out-played for much of the game.

Mason faced 40 shots, stopping 38 in the win. The Flyers got only 22 on net the entire game, leaving Mason to do all the work and steal a much-needed win from the Rangers.

(Pictured: Steve Mason during warmups. Photo by John Russo/The Checking Line - Flyers Edition)

Huskins Has Concussion; Manning, Konan Recalled

April 16, 2013

John Russo

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The Flyers blue line suffered another casualty as this forgettable 2013 campaign winds down.

Recently acquired defenseman Kent Huskins suffered a concussion in yesterday's 7-3 win in Montreal. Montreal's Ryan White came in high on Huskins, connecting with the shoulder and leaving Huskins dazed on the ice.

Immediately after the hit, Kurtis Foster jumped in and wrestled White to the ice. White was hit with a five minute major for fighting and a match penalty for deliberate injury.

Rangers Come to Town For Final 2013 Meeting

April 16, 2013

John Russo

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The Flyers routed the Canadiens on Monday, 7-3. Now they host the Rangers on the next day following a long flight from Montreal. Will they ride off the huge win or will they be too exhausted after a big win?

Hartnell's Hat Trick, Three-Point Nights for Giroux, Voracek Lead Flyers

April 15, 2013

John Russo

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The Flyers offense woke up in a big way, but it may have been little too late.

With playoffs well out of reach, the Flyers exploded out of their four-game losing skid and scoring funk to beat the Canadiens, 7-3, Monday night.

The Flyers have had a problem with scoring lately but they shook that off early. Just over two minutes into the game, Wayne Simmonds created a scoring chance to put the Flyers up 1-0.

Simmonds followed his own rebound with another shot on net. The puck was then deflected in off the stick of Sean Couturier to get past Carey Price to put the Flyers on the board first.

(Pictured: Scott Hartnell scores in the 2nd period. AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

Holmgren Tells Inquirer Laviolette Will Not Get Fired

April 15, 2013

John Russo

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It's going to be a longer off season for the Flyers than they're used to.

Among the topics heading into the off season is the job security of head coach Peter Laviolette. In an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren reassured the safety of his head coach.

Via Sam Carchidi's article this morning:

"I haven't even thought along those lines," Holmgren told The Inquirer in a phone conversation. "I think it's been a difficult year because of the situation. We haven't had our whole team all year. I don't blame the coaches.