‘It’s an unimaginable fan base. It’s nearly as good because it will get. The video games they play in there — it’s onerous to win. After I wasn’t with Pittsburgh, they preferred me. After I was, they hated me.’ — Former Flyers winger Rick Tocchet.
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Rick Tocchet is aware of the Philadelphia Flyers have all the time had a seventh-man benefit.
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The Vancouver Canucks head coach patrolled the wing within the “Metropolis of Brotherly Love” and noticed firsthand how frenzied followers confirmed robust love on a nightly foundation to carry the Flyers accountable. They’d additionally say something to get beneath the pores and skin of the opposition, most of it not appropriate for print.
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“It’s an unimaginable fan base,” mentioned Tocchet. “It’s nearly as good because it will get. The video games they play in there — it’s onerous to win. After I wasn’t with Pittsburgh, they preferred me. After I was, they hated me.”
Nevertheless, the man dealing with the largest strain Tuesday when the Flyers face the Canucks is former Vancouver bench boss John Tortorella. It’s the house opener.
The cantankerous coach, who has all the time been wired to win now, is trying to information the Flyers by means of a rebuild, which fits in opposition to his hockey DNA. Bear in mind, “protected is loss of life”? Bear in mind how onerous he has been on younger gamers, though it left the best lasting impression with some?
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The Flyers have missed the post-season the previous three seasons and have solely superior to the playoffs as soon as up to now 4. That’s going to result in change. However can a training leopard change his spots? We’re going to seek out out.
Tortorella is commonly hardest on his finest gamers — winger Travis Konecny was benched early final season and responded to guide the membership in scoring with 61 factors (31-30) in 60 video games — so the message within the insanity does get by means of.
The coach sees one thing of himself within the gritty, in-your-face irritant. He needed these stingy summations of sub-par play to show Konency right into a extra constant and accountable drive.
Konecny has three targets and 4 factors by means of two video games this season — a 4-2 win in Columbus on Thursday and 5-2 loss in Ottawa on Saturday — however Tortorella took concern with every thing following the Senators setback.
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“We’re not going to panic, however our penalty kill, our energy play, our offence and our defence — we have been outplayed in all classes,” he mentioned. “We’ll have a look at the tape and dirt ourselves off and prepare for Tuesday.”
The Canucks are buoyed by opening with a pair of victories over the Edmonton Oilers, who topped many pre-season predictions as Stanley Cup title worthy. Outscoring the Oilers 12-4 and displaying a Rocky-like resilience to maintain counterpunching earlier than touchdown the final telling blow Saturday isn’t misplaced on Tocchet.
Nevertheless, he is aware of this five-game journey will likely be a take a look at to not duplicate errors.
“No one is dreading it. We’re ready,” he mentioned. “We now have be comfy, however uncomfortable. The management group understands that is enterprise. You need to take pleasure in your self and we’ve to point out we’re a group that may play on the street and play beneath stress and strain conditions — whether or not we’re up or down.
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“That’s the important thing while you’re enjoying actual high quality groups.”
Right here’s what the Canucks face within the coming week:
Canucks at Flyers
When and the place: Tuesday at 3 p.m. | Wells Fargo Middle
TV: SN Pacific | Radio: Sportsnet 650
Why watch: Can Canucks shield the home?
The Canucks surrendered their blue-line too typically final season. “We now have to alter the narrative. That’s by backchecking, monitoring and being in the best place. Guys are shopping for into that,” mentioned Tocchet.
Who to observe: Centre J.T. Miller
He didn’t have a degree and was held to only one shot Saturday within the 4-3 win at Edmonton. Nevertheless, it was how Miller drove the play and drilled Leon Draisatil within the impartial zone with one in all this game-high eight hits that impressed. Mentioned Tocchet: “He by no means talks factors, he talks a 200-foot sport.”
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Canucks at Lightning
When and the place: Thursday at 4 p.m. | Amalie Area
TV: SN Pacific | Radio: Sportsnet 650
Why watch: No Andrei Vasilevskiy to shut door
The Bolts’ all-world stopper will miss the primary two months of the season after surgical procedure to deal with a disk herniation. Jonas Johnson confronted 41 photographs Saturday in a 6-4 loss at Detroit.
Who to observe: Centre Elias Pettersson
It’s not simply his six factors (1-5) by means of two video games that gave the slick Swede a share of the early NHL scoring lead. It’s his presence in all zones and heavy hits to announce elevated power. “I’ve bought extra in me, so I’m prepared to offer it my all. I’ve bought stronger and heavier,” mentioned Pettersson.
Canucks at Panthers
When and the place: Saturday at 7 p.m. | Amerant Financial institution Area
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TV: CBC, SN Pacific | Radio: Sportsnet 650
Why watch: Will lesser lights shine vivid?
Two video games in three nights and three in 5 are going to tax the top-six offensive combine. The Canucks will want what that they had Saturday in Edmonton, essential contribution targets from the underside six forwards in Nils Hoglander, Jack Studnicka and Sam Lafferty.
Who to observe: Left winger Matthew Tkachuk
The one which bought away on 2016 draft day had a dozen photographs in his first two outings this season, however simply two assists. He additionally took seven minutes in penalties. However 40-goal gunner can be a risk on any shift as a result of his 69 assists in 2022-23 additionally spoke to prime playmaking capacity.
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