Flyers trying out new power play units in practice today; Ryan Ellis still out

Since going 2/2 on the power play against Boston in their 6-3 win, the Flyers have gone 2/14 (14%) and 0/3 in their most recent game against the Calgary Flames. From the naked eye, the passing seems more crisp and the chances are coming, they just can’t seem to convert. According to Charlie O’Connor on twitter, the Flyers have tweaked their units a little heading into tomorrow’s game against Arizona.
Flyers’ PP1:
Netfront: Couturier
Left-wall: Atkinson
Slot: Konecny
Right-wall: Giroux
Point: Provorov
It’s interesting to see Provorov back here. I really didn’t think we’d see him on the unit again this year with Keith Yandle now in Philadelphia. He doesn’t have a point on the power play yet this year but we all know he’s perfectly capable of quarterbacking one.
Couturier where he is, is absolutely perfect. He and Giroux have been together on the power play for years now, so I need them to stay together. How many times have they used the behind the net play already this season? Vancouver’s penalty kill coach has to be pulling his hair out every time he sees Giroux bank a puck off a wall right onto Couturier’s stick.
I’ve never personally liked Giroux away from his left-wall, I never really understood why the Flyers would want to move him away from there. Admittedly, if Cam Atkinson is the one taking his spot, I’m okay with it. Excitingly enough, with Konecny in the slot and Atkinson on the left-wall, Giroux has two one-time options to feed. Plus, you always have the possibility of Atkinson finding Giroux with a pass as he’s rounding the top of the circle for a quick wrist shot.
Nobody on the Flyers has more than 1 goal on the power-play as of now, so switching it up despite them being the 12th ranked unit in the NHL seems fair. It’s early in the season so you can afford to mess with your units now and try and find what works. The chances have been coming, they just need to start converting them. Maybe switching it up a little and putting the leading goal-scorer on Claude Giroux’s unit will work. We’ll see.
Flyers’ PP2:
Netfront: JVR
Left-wall: Brassard
Slot: Farabee
Right-wall: Ristolainen
Point: Yandle
I’m so used to shitty 2nd power play units so seeing the names that are apart of this unit is extremely fun. JVR, who makes a living in-front of the net is on your second unit. Ryan Ellis would be here, but he will not play tomorrow. He’s sadly going to miss his 5th straight game with an undisclosed injury.
Brassard has been a great addition this season during 5v5 and special teams play. It does suck losing Atkinson to the first unit because the trio of Farabee – Brassard – Atkinson has a ton of chemistry. With Atkinson now on Giroux’s unit, I’m looking for Brassard and Farabee to continue their chemistry with this new unit. Having Yandle, a guy who can quarterback a power play in his sleep, is extremely important to have on a unit that hasn’t seen a lot of time together.
Ristolainen hasn’t really show a ton on the power play so far. We know he has an absolute rocket of a shot, so I wish they’d switch Brassard and Ristolainen around, giving Brassard a one-time option coming off that right wall.
Farabee in the slot with his sneaky quick snap-shot is a nice fit. He hasn’t scored in 4 games, only mustering 3 shots total. I’m looking for Farabee to pot a PPG very soon.
Mandatory Credit: Jason Franson / THE CANADIAN PRESS