Flyers Could Get Lift From Top Power Play Unit

NEW YORK — It didn’t take opponents long to learn about the Flyers new secret weapon.

Around December, especially on the power play, it became obligatory to keep an eye on the young kid at the point. Coming into Monday’s game, Shayne Gostisbehere had seven power-play goals.

“Obviously Ghost has a rocket shot, so they just try to take him away I would say,” Jake Voracek said Monday morning. “On the other hand, it opens up more space for me and (Claude Giroux). We’ve got to take advantage of it and get the puck to (Wayne Simmonds) in front of the net because he’s the best in the league at it.”

If not Gostisbehere, the Flyers need to get power-play production from someone. Especially this time of year. With Voracek back in the lineup, the Flyers’ first-unit power play is back together again and now the next step is to increase the scoring.

“Oh, we have to,” Voracek said. “In my opinion, I think in the past this year when we needed to and last year, ever since my first year that I was here, we’ve always come when we we’re most needed. I’m pretty positive we’ll be able to do it. We still talk about it in the locker room how we could get better.”

There’s certainly room, especially for the top unit. Entering Monday’s game against the New York Islanders, the Flyers’ second unit had scored the last four power-play goals and 19 of the previous 20 came from the first unit.