Flyers shuffle powerplay units; provide injury update on Joel Farabee

Today we received a couple updates regarding the struggling Philadelphia Flyers. The powerplay units have been shuffled up in an effort to break this drought and an injury update on forward Joel Farabee was provided.

Per AV, Farabee won’t need surgery for his shoulder injury. Week to week. But can’t pinpoint whether it’ll be 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks.
— Bill Meltzer (@billmeltzer) December 4, 2021

Well, add another to the week-to-week list. I knew as soon as Farabee called for the event staff to open up the end boards to let him off this was going to be brutal news. Farabee was just getting going having scored in his last 3 consecutive games before the injury. Thankfully the shoulder sprain will not require surgery, but the timetable is still unclear.

The Flyers’ coaching staff shuffled up the powerplay units today and here’s how they look:

PP1: Giroux (right wall), Atkinson (slot), Hayes (left wall), Couturier (netfront), Yandle (point)
PP2: Frost (right wall), Konecny (slot), Ristolainen (left wall), JVR (netfront), Provorov (point)

Let’s start with the first unit. I will never be a fan of Giroux on the right wall. The Flyers taking the league’s best powerplay producer over the last decade out of his natural position seems counterproductive to me. The only one-timer threat is Atkinson, who we hope is going to receive quick feeds from Giroux.

Hayes can without a doubt distribute from a wall, but we need more scoring threats on our premier unit. JVR not being able to crack the net-front position on the first unit is a massive fail at this point in the season. On the surface it seems like more overthinking from the coaching staff. I hope I eat those words.

The second unit looks a bit questionable at first glance. It’s not until you dig a bit deeper where the possibilities for excitement arrive. Morgan Frost will finally control a wall on the powerplay with Ristolainen opposite him. Combine that with Konecny in the slot and you have two one-timer threats readily available for Frost.

JVR might be able to collect more rebound opportunities as I envision shots on net coming from this second unit. Provorov could be better on the powerplay and I’ll admit his puck movement was quicker last game. Hopefully he can continue that momentum going forward.

The Flyers take on the Lightning at home tomorrow and will be versing a familiar face in Brian Elliott. Tampa Bay will also be on the second half of a back-to-back. Philadelphia will need their powerplay to wake up if they want to get out of this rut.