Flyers Post-Game EXTRA! 2019 NHL Preseason: Rangers - 1 at Flyers - 4
PHILADELPHIA, PA -- The Philadelphia Flyers handled business in their final preseason home game by defeating the the New York Rangers by a score of 4-1 on Saturday night. It took the first 10 minutes of the game for Philadelphia to find their rhythm but from that point on, it was a dominant effort.
Philadelphia outshot New York 40-19 in the contest, a shot differential that accurately depicted how bad the ice was tilted. This was especially true of the second period, where the Flyers trounced the Rangers’ defense with 21 shots in the frame.
Three Things
1. Handling inferior competition
This matchup featured a majority of the Flyers’ regulars while the Rangers went with a skater group featuring a lot of players who will start the season in the AHL on the Hartford Wolf Pack’s roster.
At the end of the day, you can only beat the team that is out in front of you, and the Flyers came out and handled business like they should have.
All the guys you’d expect to be key cogs for Philadelphia come the regular season including Jakub Voracek, Claude Giroux, James van Reimsdyk and Kevin Hayes all found the scoresheet. While Travis Kocnecy finished the game without a point, he was very noticeable in his first game of the preseason.
It was an all-around good effort for a team that was coming off a frustrating 3-1 loss to Boston on Thursday night.
2. Chris Stewart getting one more run?
Say what you want about Chris Stewart, but, for better or worse, he’s making himself noticeable on the ice. It all started for him just a minute into the game when the veteran traded punches with Rangers’ training camp tryout Micheal Haley near center ice. Stewart also picked up an assist on Carsen Twarynski’s second period goal while finishing the game logging just 8:43 of ice time.
Alain Vigneault is known for going with veterans that bring a physical edge over younger players in his bottom six. After playing in three of the Flyers’ first four preseason games, expect Stewart to continue cracking the lineup this preseason. The Flyers will give him every chance to earn a roster spot.
3. Carsen Twarynski a dark horse to make the Flyers?
Last preseason, forward Carsen Twarynski was one of the Flyers’ final cuts. It looks like he is going to force the Flyers’ brass to make a tough decision again this year. Twarynski scored a goal while adding seven shots and three hits in 11:44 of playing time on Saturday night.
“For me, the best player on the ice tonight was Twarynski,” Alain Vigneault said after his team’s victory. “He played a solid game on both ends. Good on the forecheck, he made some good decisions, so there is no doubt that that young man is making a strong case for himself [to make the team].”
The former third round pick has played in three of the Flyers’ four preseason games to-date, tied for the team lead with Stewart, Voracek, James van Riemsdyk, Joel Farabee, German Rubtsov and Morgan Frost.
As I wrote above, Vigneault generally likes players who play with a physical edge in his bottom six, sometimes even over players who bring more finesse to the lineup. While he may still be on the outside looking in on the roster spot bubble, I don’t think you can say it’s a foregone conclusion that the Calgary, Alberta, native will be in Allentown on October 5 for the Phantoms’ season opener.
