Flyers goalie Carter Hart gets a chance at revenge on the Bruins | On the Fly
The Flyers are 4-2 in the second half of back-to-back games this season. They could really use a mentally refreshed Hart to make it 5-2 on Tuesday, preferably with a win in regulation.
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It’s premature to call Travis Sanheim’s goal a season saver, but it sure bought the Flyers some more time.
Sanheim, who hadn’t scored since Joe Biden’s first full day in office (Jan. 21), gave the Flyers an overtime win Monday night with a dazzling play at both ends of the ice. First he blocked Patrice Bergeron’s shot, then he took the carom and beat Daniel Vladar with less than two minutes remaining. It didn’t hurt when Bergeron, the best defensive forward of the last decade, tripped over the blue line.
We will find out tonight just how important Sanheim’s goal is.
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— Ed Barkowitz (flyers@inquirer.com)
Now, it’s Carter Hart’s turn to help save the season
We all know how hellacious this season has been for Carter Hart. He entered it as the darling of the Delaware Valley, the homegrown franchise goaltender fans had been waiting for since Ron Hextall was nervously clanging his stick off the goal posts and pummeling poor Chris Chelios in the corners.
But somewhere after those two wins against Pittsburgh to start the season, the wheels started coming off. He lost games, confidence, and most concerning, his cool. Boston has been especially troublesome.
In four games against the Bruins, Hart has allowed 20 goals, including eight on the power play, which would be enough to erode Bernie Parent’s confidence.
The Flyers (41) are within three points of the Bruins (44) after Monday night’s overtime win in Boston. They can close the deficit to one with a victory in the rematch Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center. Hart will get the start.
Hart played very well Saturday, his first appearance in nine days as the coaches gave him an in-season mental vacation. He said something afterward that resonated.
“I just came to practice every day,” he explained. “Not pouting. Just having fun with the boys. Competing and battling. Just showing up to work every day with my hard hat and lunch pail, ya know?”
Then he let out a quick chuckle. It’s the first time I’d seen Hart smile in a month.
No one has any idea whether Hart will end Boston’s hex tonight, but the Flyers have a much better chance if their goaltender is relaxed and, yes, having fun. Boston will still have two games in hand after Tuesday, so they will have an advantage.
But if the Flyers can climb to within one point of the Bruins in the standings, maybe the pressure will shift.
This much is clear: The April 12 trade deadline is less than a week away, and it’s still impossible to determine whether the Flyers are buyers or sellers.
Inside the numbers
Carter Hart vs. ...
The Bruins (awful): 0-2-2, 5.32 goals-against average, .843 save percentage.
Everyone else (bad, but not as brutal): 8-7-2, 3.59 goals-against average, .878 save percentage.
Things to know
“We’ve tightened things up and haven’t let up as much,” Sean Couturier said. “These are the type of tight games we need to learn how to win.” Sam Carchidi has the game story after Travis Sanheim’s overtime goal pulls the Flyers a little closer to the Bruins with two more meetings left this week (Tuesday and Saturday).
Speaking of the OT win, here are some morning-after observations.
Shayne Gostisbehere opens up about being waived, and hearing trade rumors for much of his career. “Obviously, it’s something you think about, but my job as a professional is to just go out there and do what I can do and what’s in my control — and that’s playing hockey.”
Cam York turned pro after winning Big Ten defensive player of the year, and an abrupt ending to his college season. Could we see him in the NHL this season? You bet your skates we could.
Twitter clip: Eric Lindros used to hit people like this. Boston’s Nick Ritchie lays the lumber on Justin Braun.
Right back at ya
The Flyers are 4-2 in the second half of back-to-backs. One of the losses came the only time they had to travel to different cities. They lost a Saturday afternoon game in Pittsburgh on March 6 and lost the following night in Philadelphia to the Capitals.
They have five more back-to-backs remaining after this one, none with travel in between.
Boston is 1-3 in the second game on consecutive days. This will be the first involving travel between the games. The Bruins also have five B2Bs after tonight. The next is Saturday when they play the Flyers at the WFC before hosting Washington on Sunday.
Flyers’ next five
Tuesday: vs. Boston, 7 p.m. (NBCSP)
Thursday: at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m. (NBCSP)
Saturday: vs. Boston, 2 p.m. (NBCSP)
Sunday: vs. Buffalo, 2 p.m. (NBCSP, NHLN)
Tuesday, April 13: at Washington, 7 p.m. (NBCSP, NBCSN)
From the mailbag
The Flyers have a way of making rookie goalies look like Ken Dryden. I’m not heartened by the rookie goalie’s presence in net [Monday and possibly Tuesday]. Fact is, if they are to have any shot they need to beat whoever they face. All of their free passes have been spent, big time.
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Is Ghost the only Flyers player interested in shooting the puck on the power play? Because it always seems that way.
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Something is wrong with [Kevin] Hayes. Hasn’t been involved much in the last few games. No center ice presence, no speed, no real hits, and not much of anything from the big guy.
Send questions or observations via Twitter to beat writers Ed Barkowitz (@EdBarkowitz) or Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull).