‘Mixed emotions for everybody' — Flyers answer coaching change with skid-snapping win originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
After going through a coaching change 10 hours before puck drop, the Flyers responded with a 6-4 win Thursday night over the Canadiens at the Wells Fargo Center.
News broke about an hour and a half before the team’s morning skate that John Tortorella had been fired.
The Flyers went on to have a three-goal first period en route to ending a six-game losing streak.
“A really good friend of mine lost his job,” interim head coach Brad Shaw said. “He has been a real mentor to me in my career as a coach, so it’s very bittersweet.”
Sean Couturier and Matvei Michkov each tallied two markers on the night, while Nicolas Deslauriers and Tyson Foerster also found the back of the net.
Prior to the skid-snapping win, the Flyers (29-36-9) had lost 11 of their last 12 games (1-10-1), a stretch in which they were outscored 52-21. They had won just six times in their last 25 games (6-16-3).
“It’s a tough day, for sure,” Deslauriers said. “It’s mixed emotions for everybody. Not just for players; the coaching staff kind of has to take charge there. There’s something to play for. At the end of the day, it’s upon us. We weren’t good enough, so I think we have to take the blame for that, too.”
Last season, the Flyers’ rebuild was surprisingly a part of the playoff race. This season, after playing .500 hockey at best and trading five players to supplement the future, the Flyers have fallen toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Internally, before the season, the Flyers felt a drop-off was possible.
“I think there was a reality there that we knew there was a good chance we would take a step back,” general manager Danny Briere said Thursday. “And unfortunately it happened.”
The Flyers have eight games left in the season.
“Right now, we’re just trying to take this team to a point where we can build something somewhat positive to take into the offseason,” Shaw said, “and then be way better next year.”
The Canadiens (33-29-9) came in holding the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot by one point.
• Players often have a strong response when a coach gets fired and the Flyers definitely did Thursday night.
Couturier (two goals, one assist) and Michkov (two goals, one assist) had multi-point performances. Ten Flyers recorded at least a point.
“Torts built a good foundation here for the young guys and older guys, as well,” Couturier said. “To be accountable and how to handle yourself as a pro. We’ve got to keep that philosophy, but just maybe mold it into our own image for now on.”
Thursday night marked the Flyers’ first regulation win since Feb. 25, when they also scored six goals.
“It has been a challenging day, so let’s just go out, this is what we do, this is our business, this is our job,” Travis Sanheim said of Shaw’s message to the team. “Go out and have some fun, play hockey, get your mind off of other stuff and go out and do it together as a team.”
• Cam York suited up and was on the bench, but he didn’t play because of a “disciplinary issue,” Shaw said.
The interim head coach wouldn’t comment any further on the matter. He said York is expected to be back in the lineup Saturday.
It’s uncertain if the disciplinary issue is related at all to York being benched by Tortorella early in the Flyers’ 7-2 loss Tuesday night to the Maple Leafs.
• Samuel Ersson converted 26 saves on 30 shots to beat Montreal.
Canadiens netminder Jakub Dobes stopped 24 of the Flyers’ 30 shots.
• The Flyers’ power play delivered its first goal in March. It had gone 0 for 34 this month before Couturier broke the drought with his second goal of the night.
“It’s nice to get one, give us some confidence,” Travis Konecny said. “Just keep building on it.”
• Garnet Hathaway (undisclosed) and Rasmus Ristolainen (upper body) remained out.
• The Flyers are back in action Saturday when they host the Sabres (1 p.m. ET/NBCSP).