Emerging Raffl, Voracek spark Flyers past champs
The best unit on the Wells Fargo Center ice Tuesday wasn't the Los Angeles Kings' heralded "That '70's Line" of Jeff Carter, Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli.
It was the sizzling Flyers' line that has Claude Giroux centering Michael Raffl and Jake Voracek.
The line continued to lead the way in the Flyers' entertaining 3-2 overtime victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Kings.
Raffl scored his fifth goal in nine games, while Voracek dealt two assists and seemed to create a scoring chance every time he was on the ice as the Flyers won their third straight. Giroux contributed an assist, fired seven shots (five on goal) and won 61 percent of his faceoffs.
Before the season, there were some questions about how the Flyers would fill the top-line left-wing spot, vacated when the productive Scott Hartnell was traded to Columbus.
Enter Raffl, who has played superbly since moving to the No. 1 line in the season's third game. The sturdy left winger is tied with Wayne Simmonds for the team's goal-scoring lead.
"He's more experienced," Voracek said of Raffl. "He's in his second year and he is learning a lot. He's hanging out in front of the net, where all the pucks are. He's got a very good shot and …like I said before, I don't see a reason why he shouldn't score 30 goals."
Coach Craig Berube said Raffl is "doing a good job at going straight to the net, and that is key. If you want to score goals in this league, you better get to the net."
While Raffl's game continues to improve, Voracek is blossoming into on one of the league's most dependable right wingers. He had his third straight two-assist game, and he has scored points in eight of the team's nine games.
Voracek, who lost 10 pounds in the off-season to improve his speed, is tied for the NHL lead with 11 assists, and is tied for third in points (13).
In other words, he is making club chairman Ed Snider look good. Before the season, Snider said Voracek was on the verge of turning into a "superstar."
"Obviously for me, it was not always about points," Voracek said after notching his 200th career assist. "It was about how I feel on the ice, if I can contribute differently than in points. I feel good. I had a couple scoring chances, especially in the third period to get a lead, but it didn't go in. So, I'm happy that (Brayden) Schenn got that overtime goal."
Voracek (13 points), Giroux (11) and Raffl (6) have combined for 30 points for the Flyers, who have admirably overcome a slew of injuries. They have raised their record to 4-3-2 after starting 0-2-2.
Breakaways. Nick Grossmann had five hits, and his defensive partner, Mark Streit, was plus-3….The Flyers had a season-high 43 shots…Scehnn scored the game-winner (see story) after a Jake Muzzin turnover led to his breakaway….The Flyers have points in six of their last seven games……Ray Emery lowered his goals-against average to 2.44 and raised his save percentage to .924….The Sean Couturier line did a nice job on Carter's line.
Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.