PHILADELPHIA — After a thorough defeat a day earlier in Boston, the Flyers returned home Tuesday with a list of things to improve.
On it?
“Pretty much everything,” Scott Laughton said.
That’s all.
With that understood, the Flyers responded with a 5-2 victory over Anaheim. The talent disparity between the Cup-minded Bruins and the draft-minded Ducks plain, the Flyers eighth win in 10 games nonetheless was a reflection of their determination to respond to a loss.
“I think you’re disappointed when you get blown out like that,” said Laughton, who provided two assists. “You go into a tough building there and it’s not very fun. So we’re lucky to have a chance to kind of redeem ourselves.”
The Flyers moved to within five points of a playoff spot.
“You don’t always like the back-to-backs,” said Morgan Frost, whose top-shelf, between-the-legs, second-period goal was a highlight. “But the way it worked out, it was a good way to hit the reset button really quick.”
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As part of the annual Pride Night, the Flyers were asked to warm up in uniforms with a rainbow-themed logo.
Ivan Provorov chose not to participate.
“I respect everybody and I respect everybody’s choices,” he said. “But my choice is to stay true to myself and my religion. That’s all I am going to say.”
• • •
As the Flyers have made a mild standings push, one trait has caught John Tortorella’s eye: The way they fight – sometimes literally – for one another. Of particular recent note was Nicolas Deslauriers providing help in Boston after Tony DeAngelo was crushed from behind by A.J. Greer.
“I think that’s one of our biggest strengths this year with our team, that type of camaraderie when we need it,” Tortorella said. “So no matter what happens in those types of situations on the ice, I feel very, very comfortable with our club handling ourselves the right way.’’
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As planned on the second end of a back-to-back, Tortorella started Samuel Ersson in goal Tuesday. He gave no thought to coming back with Carter Hart, who was pulled after allowing four goals in 27:35 Monday in Boston.
“No,” he elaborated.
How about lineup changes?
“No,” he elaborated.
A chance to maybe get Justin Braun back in the mix?
“No,” he elaborated.
So it was Ersson, improved to 5-0, including a 4-1 triumph Jan. 2 in Anaheim.
“I’m just trying to stop as many pucks as I can out there,” he said, “and help the team win.”
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If the Flyers were destined to turn presentable this season, it would require contributions from top to bottom. For that, Tortorella has been pleased with his fourth line of Patrick Brown, Zack MacEwen and Deslauriers.
“A lot of forechecking,” he said. “They’ve banged in a couple of goals. They are playing straight ahead. For a while a few weeks ago, I thought they were a little inconsistent, but I think they’ve found their game.”
Over his last six games, Deslauriers has provided a goal and an assist. MacEwen already has matched the career-high nine points he provided last season. Brown, the center, has been a heavy contributor on faceoffs and hits.
“Brownie is playing better,’’ Tortorella said. “I just think they’re hunting. They have given us a lot of good minutes here.”
Source: Berkshire mont
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