Flyers-Penguins takeaways: The annual Scott Laughton sale, and Ersson's the one
The Flyers head into the 4 Nations Face-Off break on a high note. They snapped a five-game skid with a 3-2 win over the Penguins. But it wasn't easy to get win No. 2 in the past nine games; they had just 8.1% of the shot attempts in the first period. Yikes. With that, here are three questions to ponder in the next 14 days.
The Flyers head into the 4 Nations Face-Off break on a high note. They snapped a five-game skid with a 3-2 win over the Penguins. But it wasn't easy to get win No. 2 in the past nine games; they had just 8.1% of the shot attempts in the first period. Yikes. With that, here are three questions to ponder in the next 14 days.
What happens with Scott Laughton?
Just hours before the game, rumors popped up that trade talks around the Flyers forward have ramped up. Honestly, it seems like an annual rite of passage for Laughton and the place he has called home since being drafted in 2012. Is this it?
What happens with Scott Laughton?
Just hours before the game, rumors popped up that trade talks around the Flyers forward have ramped up. Honestly, it seems like an annual rite of passage for Laughton and the place he has called home since being drafted in 2012. Is this it?
If Saturday was his final game with the Flyers, it was a good one. Skating 16:33, he had three scoring chances, two hits, two blocked shots, won 75% of his faceoffs, and was one of two Flyers on the ice for more shot attempts for than against. He also got behind the D, protected the puck, and buried No. 11 of the season.
If Saturday was his final game with the Flyers, it was a good one. Skating 16:33, he had three scoring chances, two hits, two blocked shots, won 75% of his faceoffs, and was one of two Flyers on the ice for more shot attempts for than against. He also got behind the D, protected the puck, and buried No. 11 of the season.
Can Sam Ersson handle the workload of a No. 1 goalie?
Whether Ersson is a No. 1 goalie has been answered. Coach John Tortorella said his performance in Utah was "probably one of the best ones I've seen in my career." After Saturday? "This was pretty good, too. He made some incredible saves."
Can Sam Ersson handle the workload of a No. 1 goalie?
Whether Ersson is a No. 1 goalie has been answered. Coach John Tortorella said his performance in Utah was "probably one of the best ones I've seen in my career." After Saturday? "This was pretty good, too. He made some incredible saves."
Against Pittsburgh, he made 31 saves, including 10 of 11 high-danger chances. The second goal, by Kevin Hayes, came after a big-time stop at the left post. Tortorella has often said he doesn't want to crush him like last season, but "we have 25 left and he's going to get a lion's share of those," the coach said postgame.
Against Pittsburgh, he made 31 saves, including 10 of 11 high-danger chances. The second goal, by Kevin Hayes, came after a big-time stop at the left post. Tortorella has often said he doesn't want to crush him like last season, but "we have 25 left and he's going to get a lion's share of those," the coach said postgame.
Since the Christmas break, the Swedish netminder is 9-4-1 with a 2.26 GAA and .920 save percentage. How telling is it that he's upped his game? His season save percentage is .896. "I think I've been pretty consistent with my game. ... You just find ways to kind of deal with the games," he said.
Since the Christmas break, the Swedish netminder is 9-4-1 with a 2.26 GAA and .920 save percentage. How telling is it that he's upped his game? His season save percentage is .896. "I think I've been pretty consistent with my game. ... You just find ways to kind of deal with the games," he said.
Will Andrei Kuzmenko stick with the Flyers?
Time will tell on this one, but it's fair to say the Russian winger brought some juice to the lineup on Saturday. In his first game, he had two shot attempts and notched an assist in 18:53. "He likes to make plays," Travis Konecny said.
Will Andrei Kuzmenko stick with the Flyers?
Time will tell on this one, but it's fair to say the Russian winger brought some juice to the lineup on Saturday. In his first game, he had two shot attempts and notched an assist in 18:53. "He likes to make plays," Travis Konecny said.
Kuzmenko did struggle at times in the defensive zone but showed the prowess he has at the other end of the rink. "Very talented," Tortorella said. "You can see his skill, he can skate, has an enthusiasm about him." Kuzmenko said he "likes to play with spark," and showed that, including a saucer-pass setup to Jacob Gaucher.
Kuzmenko did struggle at times in the defensive zone but showed the prowess he has at the other end of the rink. "Very talented," Tortorella said. "You can see his skill, he can skate, has an enthusiasm about him." Kuzmenko said he "likes to play with spark," and showed that, including a saucer-pass setup to Jacob Gaucher.