Flyers Turning The Corner? 2018-01-31 As the EHE approaches it's midway point of the season, the Philadelphia Flyers and it's fans find themselves in unfamiliar territory as the team currently not only holds down a playoff spot, but they are near the top of the Metropolitan division. With a record of 23-12-3 good for 49pts on the yr, the Flyers currently reside in the #2 spot behind the Pittsburgh Penguins in their division. Captain Gabriel Landeskog was asked earlier what he thought was the reason for the teams turn around. Landeskog" well, yeah, I mean these guys go out there and work hard every night, the coaching staff has us playing a very structured game and Matty has been a wall for us back there. It's a tough league, and you can't afford to take a night off" The Metropolitan is a tough division. The Flyers are just 2 points behind the top seeded Penguins, but have the Islanders and red hot Hurricanes closing in behind them and the Caps are nipping at the Canes heals. Nobody in this division is out of it. The Flyers rely heavily on a very structured defensive game. Matt Murray has been the teams best player this season. Their blueline is anchored by Anton Stralman, whom the team took some heat for from many around the hockey world when questioned his signing this past offseason, thinking the team had given him too much. Stralman currently sits tied for 2nd on the team in points with 30 on the yr, and has been nominated to go to the allstar game along with goaltender Matt Murray. We are not sure what kind of moves, if any this team would be willing to make. They stand firm on not cutting short the process. Gm Mucyk"I have a real tough time moving a 1st. I feel the value of having those high picks in the organization is too high. Several of our young guys are so close to making the jump. We expect next year that Sergachev, Bratt, Buchnevich and Vrana will all make strong cases to be with the pro team next season, and we are really liking the steps that Darnell Nurse and Radek Faksa have taken." The one name missing, and that may haunt this team is Dyaln Strome. Darren Dreger "the organization had really hoped that this kid would take that next step this season. They had some high hopes for this kid when they traded for him." Strome had tremendous success in junior, and seems as though he is too good to be at the AHL level, but when the team has given him the chance to play in preseason games, the organization has been left wanting much more for the youngster. They may not be willing to give up on him this year, but with many other prospects ready to make the next step, and the team turning the corner, how long can they wait from Strome to catch up? Next up the Flyers will be hosting the visiting Florida Panthers. The Panthers have been strong on the road this season going 11-3-3 when visiting opposing teams barns, where as Philadelphia has struggled on home ice only putting up a record 8-7-2 at the Wells Fargo center. The Flyers will be without Patrick Sharp for that game as he is out with a right leg injury and is listed as day to day.