Nolan Patrick contributes at right wing, but may be moved back to center

Nolan Patrick was again missing from the score sheet in the Flyers' 4-3 win Wednesday over the Rangers, but there were some encouraging signs in his play at a new position, right wing.

Flyers forward Nolan Patrick is pointless in his last nine games, but contributed in other ways Wednesday in a 4-3 win over the Rangers.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer

by Sam Carchidi

Published Feb. 25, 2021, 1:56 p.m. ET

At times, Nolan Patrick looked out of place playing a new position, right wing, in the Flyers’ 4-3 win Wednesday over the New York Rangers.

That was to be expected because Patrick is at home playing center, and, though he didn’t get any points or shots in 16 minutes, 50 seconds of ice time, he did contribute by setting up linemates Claude Giroux (eight shots) and Kevin Hayes (six shots).

“I liked that line. I thought that line had a lot of offensive-zone time. They had quite a few looks,” coach Alain Vigneault said. “Like I had mentioned, we don’t really play -- other than right off the faceoff -- a center position. It is first forward, second forward, third forward, so as a player, I think you have to be able to do that. Being able to play more than one position is a bonus -- being versatile out there.”

Giroux saw good signs in Patrick’s game.

“He was supporting the puck all over,” said Giroux, who had three assists and 12 shot attempts in the win. “Had a couple bounce on him. He’s getting there.”

There is a good chance right winger Jake Voracek, who went on the COVID-protocol list Feb. 11 and came off it Thursday, returns to the lineup Saturday afternoon in Buffalo. If he does, Patrick, point-less in the last nine games, will probably move back to his spot as the third-line center.

Like Voracek, defenseman Justin Braun is expected to return Saturday.

Elliott’s encouragement

Though Carter Hart has allowed four or more goals in six of his 11 starts, backup goalie Brian Elliott isn’t concerned.

“Everybody goes through ups and downs. That’s the progression of a goaltender,” said Elliott, 35, after an outstanding performance Wednesday, when the Flyers’ defense failed to clear the crease much of the night. “You have to go through those things (to be successful). ... He’s been in many big games in his life. He’ll be fine.”

Breakaways

James van Riemsdyk leads the Flyers with nine goals and 22 points in 16 games. He would be on pace for 46 goals and 113 points if this was an 82-game season. ... Voracek is expected to join the Flyers at their practice Friday in Voorhees. ... Travis Konecny, Oskar Lindblom, and Scott Laughton are the only Flyers left on their COVID list. ... In Wednesday’s victory, Nic Aube-Kubel played a career-high 18:12 and had a game-best six hits and two blocked shots.