WASHINGTON, D.C. – When a young defenseman leads his team in plus-minus, he must be doing something right.
Cam York, who began the season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and is now on the No.1 defense pairing with Ivan Provorov, had registered a plus-8 heading into Saturday night’s game at Capital One Arena.
Pretty impressive on a team which was a collective minus-17 through its first 42 games.
The Flyers entered the game against the Capitals having won six of their last seven games and York said some of that success might have to do with his team playing more on instinct and not overthinking things too much.
The same logic might apply to his game as well.
“I think we are playing a little more free,’’ said York, who seems to have become more creative with his game in recent weeks. “Guys aren’t gripping their sticks as tight. I think it’s shown. We’re scoring more goals and we’re not giving up a ton. I think we just have to keep it going.’’
After playing in 30 games last season, everyone figured York would make the roster coming out of training camp. Which is why it was such a big surprise when York found himself back in the American Hockey League in mid-October.
Obviously, he worked hard and learned some things during his stay with the Phantoms.
The chance to play with Provorov has been a confidence builder.
“We played a little bit together last year,’’ York said. “We built a little bit of chemistry. This year we’re trying to get right back to that.
“He (Provorov) does a lot of things in every zone. He communicates well. Bringing the puck out, he’s really good at that. That allows me to be in the rush a little bit more. There’s not one thing that he does really well, it’s a bunch of things.’’
Coach John Tortorella has seen improvement.
“He’s joined his role defensively, there’s work to be done there,’’ Tortorella said. “But I think he’s played well. As long as he stays aggressive. To me it’s a mindset. Be aggressive and don’t be afraid to make a mistake.’’
>Ristolainen not worried about points
When the Flyers brought defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen on board from Buffalo a couple years back, the sense was he would be an offensive threat, especially with a booming shot from the point.
During his seven full years with the Sabres, the Finland native averaged better than 34 points per season.
But since arriving in Philadelphia, the points have disappeared.
He posted only 16 last season and this season the numbers are even more disappointing: Just two points through 35 games.
“The only points I care about are the team points,’’ Ristolainen said. “I really don’t care what my role is, the individual stats too much. It’s all about the team for me.’’
On the defensive side of the puck, there have been no complaints from Tortorella.
Ristolainen credits assistant coach Brad Shaw with some of this success. And playing with another veteran such as Nick Seeler hasn’t hurt either.
“I’ve really enjoyed it,’’ Ristolainen said of his work with Shaw. “If it’s not working, he lets you know. If there’s good things happening, he lets you know also. There’s very honest communication.’’
