Flyers

The Flyers Own the Vancouver Canucks

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Dec 29th, 2023 · 9:44 AM EST

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I used to do radio hits with Dan Riccio when Toronto FC was one of the teams he covered. Good dude. Now he’s working in Vancouver radio and was going through it while the Flyers were throttling the Pacific-leading Canucks on Thursday night:

Okay, so maybe it wasn’t a throttling for the entirety of the game. They did win 4 to 1, but the abuse came specifically during a two-minute portion of the 2nd period, when they scored three straight goals to blow the game open and stun the crowd.

What was particularly nice to see is that the outburst had a little bit of everything. Zamula got the first one by just throwing the puck on net, which is whatever, but the Flyers’ power play has been dreck all season long, so it’s nice to see one go in with a man advantage. The second goal was a bit of transitional brilliance and the third exemplified what the Flyers are all about this year – a team that will work and grind and pounce on giveaways and punish sloppy play:

3 goals in 2 minutes from the Flyers. Balls. pic.twitter.com/pChVHwz3d0

— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) December 29, 2023

The Canucks are 23-10-4 this season and two of their 10 losses have come against the Flyers, getting outscored 6-1 in the process. Before last night, they were 13-3-1 at home and were 7-0-2 in their last nine. They have a +43 goal differential and the most points in the Western Conference. J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser are top five in points and goals this year, respectively, and they’ve combined for a grand total of seven shots and zero points in two games against Philly.

A preview of the Stanley Cup finals? Maybe not, but the Flyers are outperforming expectations this year, and significantly. We can argue for days if they’re too far ahead of schedule, but that’s distracting and somewhat pointless. There’s plenty to watch and enjoy without worrying about that shit. Watch Bobby Brink and Tyson Foerster. Appreciate the goaltending and hustle and grit. It’s a little bit like the season the Sixers had in 2016-17, or even the Eagles’ 2021 season. Put the expectations aside and enjoy the genesis of what looks to be a fun era of Flyers hockey just around the corner.