Flyers success starts with Simmonds
HILADELPHIA — The long versions of Craig Berube’s plan for success will always be a collection of on-ice drills, scouting suggestions, motivational pleas and crossed fingers. As for a shorter, more easily consumed howto-win tutorial, that could be reduced to one 18-minute video clip.
JACK MCCAFFERY
That’s how long Wayne Simmonds played Saturday in the Flyers’ 4-2 victory over the New York Rangers, scoring the game-winning goal, adding an assist, firing three shots, connecting on six hits, stationing himself in front of Henrik Lundqvist, keeping plays alive. He played 18 minutes — 18 minutes Berube would recommend that all of his players appreciate … then duplicate.
“It’s the type of game we are looking for from everybody,” Berube said after the Flyers’ fifth victory in their last six. “He is just hard on pucks, skating, doing all things without the puck. And then when he gets it, he does some real good things with it, skates with it, moves with it, makes hard plays.”
Because of everything, and mostly because they started their season by losing six of their first seven, the Flyers needed good seasons from a young nucleus that was about to enter mid-career prime. Simmonds, 25, was in that group. Two seasons ago, his first as a Flyer, he scored 28 goals. Last season — a mangled, labor-ruined mess — he had 15 goals in 45 games, decent production, yet minimal improvement with a scent of regression. Yet almost from the first shift this season, he has been a consistent offensive presence, unlikely to suffer giveaways, strong in front and a more accurate shooter. It’s why he was able to stun Lundqvist from a sharp angle on the power play Saturday, breaking a 2-2 tie late in the second period.
Because of the Olympics, there was no AllStar Game this season. If there were, Simmonds well could have represented the Flyers. There are still 21 games to play, but he is the projected winner in the balloting for the Bobby Clarke Trophy as the Flyers’ MVP. From there, he would be a stride away from becoming an elite NHL player.
“Definitely,” Vinny Lecavalier said. “He has proven it, obviously, all year long. I mean, just his puck-protection is unbelievable. He brings that grit, that leadership. And he skates fast for a guy that’s 6-3 or 6-4. He’s really fast.”
Lecavalier has been grouped with Simmonds and Brayden Schenn, an idea that once seemed uncomfortable, but which has become a consistent show of size and force. All three were active during a firstperiod goal Saturday that wound up credited to Lecavalier, his 13th in an injury-blunted season.
“Even before the break, we were playing some pretty solid hockey,” Lecavalier said. “And the whole team is playing good. I think everybody is in synch, playing good together.”
E-mail Jack McCaffery at jmccaffery@21stcentury.