Prosser processes career rebirth in Flyers’ uniform

Nate Prosser hadn’t played an NHL game in two years, hadn’t scored a big-league goal in four years and had his fingers crossed that those streaks would end this year.

Activated Thursday from the taxi squad, the 34-yearold Prosser made the most of his pent-up frustration, netting the Flyers’ first goal and blocking three shots in 13 minutes to spark the club to a 3-1 win over the New Jersey Devils and a sweep of the two-game series.

Dubbed “The Processor” by teammate Claude Giroux, who scored his first goal of the season. Prosser became the oldest Flyer to net a goal since 38-yearold Mark Streit in a March 28, 2016 overtime victory over the Winnipeg Jets.

“It was unreal,” Prosser said. “Words can’t really describe it. I never gave up hope over the last few years. Not playing a game until tonight was kind of an eyeopening experience for me, almost. My game is keeping it simple and smart, and I think I did a good job of it.”

After the Flyers’ offense was almost dormant for the first two periods, Michael Raffl tallied the game-winning goal early in the third. Goalie Carter Hart shrugged off a rocky start to get the win. Though Hart stopped 33 shots, his teammates helped immensely by taking care of the rebounds.

Hart wasn’t crazy about giving up a goal to Damon Severson

seven minutes into the first period, blaming himself for not tracking it. But like his teammates, Hart was inspired by Prosser, “a legend in the locker room” according to teammates.

“He was unbelievable for us tonight,” Hart said. “For him not playing a game in that long and to be out there and not look out of rhythm at all, like he was solid, calm, a lot of big blocks in that third period. And then to score a goal, we’re all so happy for him.”

Prosser smacked a far-post rebound into the net for his 11th career goal in his 354th game, the latter of which appealed to coach Alain Vigneault, who paired him with Erik Gustafsson and scratched defensemen Robert Hagg and Mark Friedman. Gustafsson contributed two assists.

Vigneault said he wasn’t happy with the play of his first two lines but appreciated the work of the third line with Connor Bunnaman, who also was activated from the taxi squad.

Raffl shoveled in the goahead goal 2:10 into the final frame, the Flyers having been outshot, 24-13, at that point.

“It was two awful periods,” Raffl said. “But another win here in Jersey, which is big.”

Vigneault said he was disappointed in Hagg, who wasn’t giving the Flyers enough of a spark. Hagg, 25, is a minus-1 in seven games this season. He has no points, has taken five shots and averaged 16.25 minutes. “I think Haggs has been average the last couple of games,” Vigneault said. “And I talked with Haggs yesterday about his game. I believe he can be a much more effective defenseman in killing plays and winning more one-on-one battles and making the right decision with the puck. I’ve talked to him about making the higher percentage plays. He’s a good player, he’s a good defenseman for us.”

Vigneault had a gut feeling it was time to roll with Prosser.

“I liked Prosser since the beginning of training camp,” Vigneault said. “He’s an experienced player, a veteran player who’s played quite a few NHL games and 25 playoff games. So, he brings experience.”