Why are the Flyers commuting to New Jersey and what do the players think? | On the Fly

So here’s the Flyers’ approximate itinerary for Thursday.

10:30 a.m.: Bus departs from Voorhees, N.J. to Newark for the second game this week at the New Jersey Devils.

11:15 a.m.: Guy with New York tags cuts the bus off somewhere around Exit 10 on the turnpike. Everybody extends a finger, and it’s not a thumbs-up.

12 p.m.: Arrive at the team hotel in Newark. Disperse for some meetings, figure a way to get better 5-on-5, grab some grub, sneak in a nap.

7 p.m.: Drop the puck against the Devils.

9:30 p.m.: Hope Carter Hart hasn’t disintegrated another stick.

11:45 p.m.: Arrive back in Voorhees.

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— Ed Barkowitz (flyers@inquirer.com)

One of the benefits to the Flyers schedule this season is the travel isn’t nearly as grinding. Sure, they don’t stay in the same hotels as you and I or sit in the row in front of a rambunctious toddler on a cramped airplane. But being on the road can be a drag.

For their two-game trip to New Jersey this week, they are busing up the morning of the game, coming home right after it. They did this a few times last season, but not to this extent. Usually, pro teams arrive in opposing cities the night before a game. Jake Voracek said the schedule reminds him of his days in juniors.

The primary benefit is the most obvious. It allows players to sleep in their own beds.

“I think that’s huge,” said goaltender Carter Hart, who will start for the first time since losing, 6-1, to the Bruins on Saturday. “The first couple of nights on the road in Boston, it was tough getting a good sleep in the hotel bed when [you’ve been sleeping only in your own bed for a long time.] The more time we can be at home, and in our own facility, I think will definitely help us.”

The NHL’s return-to-play rules specifically state that players can be in only their hotel rooms while on the road, and that they are not allowed to have guests in those rooms, including (and especially) teammates. The Washington Capitals violated this rule and lost three players for four games (including Alex Ovechkin) when a fourth player (Ilya Samsonov) tested positive for the coronavirus.

“Instead of staying there [overnight in Newark] and basically not being able to do anything, guys are able to sleep in their own beds, practice in their facility,” coach Alain Vigneault said. “It’s the best way to do things, especially in these COVID times right now.”

If there’s one drawback, it’s that team unity will take a hit. So will the local restaurants and bars.

“It’s definitely a change,” Scott Laughton said. “Some of my favorite times are being on the road and going out to dinner with the guys. I think the guys have managed to stay busy. The hotels do a great job for us. We have team lounges to play cards and all that. You try to stay busy, but at the same time, you’re getting ready for games. That’s not much of a difference.

“We’re pretty lucky in our division that we’re not on the road for extended periods of time,” he continued. “We come into a city and leave right away.”

Hopefully, with two more points.

Top four qualify for playoffs.

1. Washington (4-0-3, 11 points): Already without captain Ovechkin and three other key players because of a COVID-19 protocol violation, Nicklas Backstrom and Lars Eller were injured Tuesday and Tom Wilson sat out. Next: vs. Islanders, Thursday, 7 p.m.

2. Boston (4-1-1, 9 points): Brad Marchand lit up the Capitals for their COVID-19 carelessness. The teams will play on Saturday. Ovechkin and the others could be back. That’s juicy. Next: vs. Penguins, Thursday, 7 p.m.

3. Flyers (4-2-1, 9 points): It’s early, but Ivan Provorov’s average of 25 minutes, 37 seconds is a career high and a clear indication of how thin the Flyers are on defense. Next: at Devils, Thursday, 7 p.m.

4. Pittsburgh (4-2-1, 9 points): Two-time Cup-winning GM Jim Rutherford stunned the Penguins with his abrupt retirement Wednesday. Next: at Bruins, Thursday, 7 p.m.

5. New Jersey (3-2-1, 7 points): Coach Lindy Ruff was griping after his team had zero power plays in the game’s final 57 minutes Tuesday against the Flyers. He had a point. Next: vs. Flyers, Thursday, 7 p.m.

6. Buffalo (3-3-1, 7 points): Goaltender Carter Hutton hasn’t played since suffering what appeared to be a head injury in a loss to the Flyers on Jan. 19. He initially stayed in the game after Provorov crashed into Hutton after a heavy (and dangerous) push by Buffalo defenseman Brandon Montour. Next: vs. Rangers, Thursday, 7 p.m.

7. N.Y. Islanders (3-3-0, 6 points): The Isles have 11 goals in six games and might not have second-line left winger Anthony Beauvillier (lower-body injury) for this weekend’s doubleheader in Philly. Next: at Capitals, Thursday, 7 p.m.

8. N.Y. Rangers (1-4-1, 3 points): In six games, 2020 No. 1 overall pick Alexis Lafreniere has zero points and is minus-3. He’s been dropped to the third line. Next: at Sabres, Thursday, 7 p.m.

Thursday: Flyers at New Jersey, 7 p.m. (NBCSP)

Saturday: N.Y. Islanders at Flyers, 7 p.m. (NBCSP)

Sunday: N.Y. Islanders at Flyers, 7 p.m. (NBCSP)

Wednesday: Boston at Flyers, 8 p.m. (NBCSN)

Friday, Feb. 5: Boston at Flyers, 7 p.m. (NBCSP)

“If [Shayne Gostisbehere] finds success on the right side (either w/Provorov or Sanheim) it’ll be interesting. There wasn’t really an opportunity for him to play that side last year w/Niskanen, Myers and Braun here. Niskanen leaving opened a door for him. Hope he runs through it.” — Jared (@JBPhi) via Twitter

Send questions or observations by email or on Twitter to (@EdBarkowitz or @broadstbull), and they could appear in a future edition.