Better backchecking, tracking top Flyers’ to-do list

Bobby Brink

      WASHINGTON – As much as the lack of offense plagued the Flyers through their first six games, coach John Tortorella said he’s just as concerned with the team’s backchecking efficiency.

      When forwards don’t hurry back after a puck gets turned over, it often creates an odd-man rush the opposite way.

      Before Wednesday night’s game at Capital One Arena, Tortorella explained why backchecking can be a pretty big deal.

      “The biggest thing with our structure is our tracking, our backchecking,” he said. “It may seem a little weird to be talking about that part of the game through the lack of our offense. But that’s part of our identity – tracking back so our ‘D’ can jam the neutral zone.

      “That’s where our transition comes off of. In viewing the (video) tape last night and showing it to them this morning, we are flat in the offensive zone. Zero depth in the offensive structure and our backchecking and tracking is just not there.”

      >Foerster back in, Brink sits

      After sitting out Tuesday night’s game, Tyson Foerster was back in action on Wednesday night while Bobby Brink took a seat.

      Anything wrong with Brink’s game or was he just odd man out?

      “Bobby’s game, offensively he’s done some good things,” Tortorella said. “But there are other things in his game that he just simply has to get better at.”

      What part of Foerster’s game needs to improve?

      “Everything,” Tortorella said. “Everything.”

      >Penchant for bad penalties

      One of the old axioms of hockey pertaining to penalties suggests it’s not how many penalties a team takes, it’s when it takes them.

      In the case of the current Flyers, that might include committing bad penalties regardless of the juncture of the game.

      That seemed to be the situation in Tuesday night’s loss to the  Capitals. But there have been plenty of instances like that since the season began.

      “We were turning pucks over, feeding right into their transition,” captain Sean Couturier said. “That causes us to take bad penalties. Eventually you’re kind of chasing the puck.”

      Couturier was hoping for better things in Wednesday night’s rematch.

      “I think we have to manage the puck a little better,” Couturier said. “Go to work down in their end. Try to get more possession time instead of forcing plays, trying to create something out of nothing.”

      Tortorella had his own take on the situation.

      “Simply be disciplined,” he said. “It’s the concentration of where your stick is. It’s not something you practice. You just need to have the proper mindset of how this game is called now.”

      >Simpler approach to shooting

      There have been times this season when the Flyers have been trying to set up the perfect shot. Then there are others where they just fire and the puck clangs off the post.

      What’s the solution?

      “I think at times we could be simpler,” said defenseman Travis Sanheim, who scored the only goal for the Flyers in the Tuesday loss to the Capitals. “More straight ahead.

      “A lot of times last year we were catching teams with their speed, taking advantage of it. At times I feel like we’re slowing it down a little bit,” Sanheim said. “Make the extra play or make a play that’s not there. It’s easier said than done. Guys see plays, they want to make them.”

      >Pleasing the home fans

      Tortorella was asked if the players might be a little frustrated after losing their first two home games and scoring only one goal in the process.

      “They’re performers, right?” Tortorella said. “They want to do well in front of the people. It puts a little added pressure on them, especially when things aren’t going well. And it’s the start of the year.

      “They don’t feel good about what they’re hearing out there. They want to play well in front of their people. Just calm ourselves down, play our game and hope some good things happen.”

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About Wayne Fish 2701 Articles
Wayne Fish has been covering the Flyers since 1976, a stint which includes 18 Stanley Cup Finals, four Winter Olympics and numerous other international events.