PHILADELPHIA – In most of the back-to-back situations this season, Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar has started the first game and Sam Ersson the second.
For Wednesday night’s game against Washington, coach Rick Tocchet switched the order and used Ersson against the Capitals, giving Vladar an extra day of rest for his presumed start at Minnesota on Thursday night.
Vladar has already played in 39 games, well past his former career high of 30.
The Czech netminder didn’t look quite as sharp as he normally does in Monday night’s loss to the New York Rangers. He gave up a season-high six goals in just two periods of work and then was pulled for the third.
“Yeah, he might have been a little tired,” Tocchet said at Wednesday morning’s skate. “You know he’ll never admit it. We have to be cautious of that. I mean we ran him pretty good. He really wanted to go (vs. the Caps) and I think he deserved the opportunity. But I also have to manage him.”
>Growing pains
The members of the new Noah Cates line, which includes youngsters Matvei Michkov and Denver Barkey, each finished a minus-3 in the Rangers game. Tocchet said it’s all part of the growing process.
“There were a couple mistakes they made but that’s just young mistakes, they’ll get better,” Tocchet said. “We did give up three power-play goalss. Is that an outlier, hopefully.
“And there were mistakes coming into our end. That’s the one thing, when you’re a younger team, you go to the wrong spot. We gave them two freebies in front of our net. You can’t do that. Then you’re chasing the game. I know it looks awful. They’re upset, we (the coaches) are upset. But those mistakes, you have to live with them.”
>Missing Brink
The Flyers’ one notable trade at Friday’s NHL deadline saw the popular Bobby Brink shipped off to his native Minnesota for defenseman David Jiricek.
Some players, including Travis Konecny, said it takes awhile to adjust to the absence of a well-liked player.
“Bobby is very popular, a great guy to coach,” Tocchet said. “He’s very receptive. He adds a lot in that room. That (trade) takes a little bit out of the room, for sure.”
The Flyers will get a chance to chat with Brink when they visit the Twin Cities.
>York-Drysdale pairing a keeper?
Tocchet chose to pair his two Olympic defensemen – Travis Sanheim and Rasmus Ristolainen – just after the break and put Cam York with Jamie Drysdale on a second unit.
The coach was asked if he thinks the York-Drysdale tandem can develop some chemistry.
“I think it’s experimental, we’re still trying to figure it out,” Tocchet said. “They’re both puck movers. The breakouts, I think there’s another level. They can get better. I believe Jamie is better at wheeling pucks.
“I would say it’s a work in progress. But they’ve played some good games for us. For the most part I think they’ve improved this year.”
>Respect for Ovechkin
Whenever the Flyers play against Alex Ovechkin, they have to keep their guard up against the NHL’s alltime goal-scorer. He passed Wayne Gretzky for that distinction and now stands at 921. The only question is whether he will stick around long enough to try for 1,000.
“He can play either way,” Tocchet observed. “If it’s an offensive game, obviously. But he can change the game with hits. I think he’s underrated when it comes to physicality. There’s been some big booming hits he’s done in a playoff series that changed the series.
“He also makes the ‘D’ a little scared to go back for the puck. A guy that can score and also play a tough game, I think that’s a little underrated. He’s a train, he can hurt some people.”
Defenseman Nick Seeler said everyone must be alert when the Russian hits the ice.
“Obviously a great shot,” Seeler noted. “You certainly need to be aware of where he is on the ice all the time, especially on the power play.”
Ovechkin went into Wednesday night’s game with 52 goals/83 points in 80 games vs. Philadelphia. The 52 goals are the second-most vs. any NHL team. The Winnipeg Jets-Atlanta Thrashers franchise is first with 57. Third place is shared by Carolina and Tampa Bay with 50.
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