Flyers overcame poor start to qualify for playoffs

The Philadelphia Flyers have completed the first item on their season-long to-do list: reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Their 5-0 win against the New York Rangers on Saturday earned them a berth in the postseason after they failed to qualify in 2016-17.
A 10-game losing streak (0-5-5) left the Flyers 29th in the NHL standings on Dec. 4, but they went 34-15-7 after that. Philadelphia will play the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference First Round.

"I don't know if I'd look at making the playoffs] as an achievement, more the first step in the process," general manager Ron Hextall said.
**[RELATED: *[Penguins will play Flyers in first-round series]*
Here are five reasons the Flyers clinched a playoff berth:

1. Giroux's MVP-level performance

Claude Giroux, with improved health and a position change, had his best offensive numbers in his 11th NHL season and is a leading candidate for the Hart Trophy.

Philadelphia's captain struggled last season after having surgery to repair hip and abdominal muscle injuries in May 2016. But Giroux bounced back this season with 102 points (34 goals, 68 assists), second in the NHL behind the Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (108). And he did it while playing left wing for the first time.
"[Giroux] is an unbelievable player, deserves everything he's getting this year," said center Sean Couturier, who had his first 30-goal NHL season playing alongside Giroux. "He definitely deserves to be in the MVP conversation. He just ups his game every time the game is bigger. That's the kind of guy he is. Shows his character. He's our leader."

2. Konecny's emergence

After scoring 11 goals as a rookie last season, second-year forward Travis Konecny, 21, scored 24 this season, emerging as a go-to scorer capable of creating offense and finishing from anywhere in the attacking zone.
A big part of that development came when he was shifted onto the top line alongside Giroux and Couturier on Dec. 23. From that point to the end of the season, he led the Flyers with 20 goals in 45 games.
"He's a dynamic player," Giroux said. "One-on-one he's going to beat guys, he's going to have scoring chances, he's got a good shot. He's that kind of player that just needs one opportunity and it's going to be in the back of their net. The Travis Konecny from the start of the year to now is a big difference."

3. Patrick's growth

It took time for Nolan Patrick, the No. 2 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, to adjust to the NHL, but he's been a much better player since the All-Star break.
Patrick had nine points (three goals, six assists), a minus-3 rating and averaged 12:14 of ice time in his first 40 games. In 33 games after Jan. 31, he had 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) and a plus-4 rating in 15:32 per game, emerging as a solid second-line center.

"I think [Patrick] has always been responsible without the puck and wanted to work hard without it," coach Dave Hakstol said. "I see the biggest steps he's taking are with the puck and just the confidence level and some of the moxie that comes from having some success."

4. Gostisbehere's development

Shayne Gostisbehere had the same surgery the same day as Giroux, and dealt with the same issues last season. Healthy again, he finished fourth among NHL defensemen with 65 points (13 goals, 52 assists).
He's also been far better defensively. Gostisbehere finished plus-10, his best showing in four NHL seasons, and he was on the ice for 42 goals against at 5-on-5, the third-fewest among the 83 defensemen to play at least 1,200 minutes, according to NaturalStatTrick.com. Josh Manson and Cam Fowler of the Anaheim Ducks were on the ice for 40 goals against.
"I think [Gostisbehere] understood he needed to be a better defensive player," Hextall said. "The offensive stuff he's terrific at. He knew it, we knew it. The defensive side of the puck he could get better. To Shayne's credit, he took it seriously. He worked at it and he pays attention to it. It's important to him."

5. Improved 5-on-5 play

The Flyers were 27th in the NHL last season with 128 goals at 5-on-5. This season they passed that total in their 73rd game; Philadelphia finished with 158, good for 16th in the League.
"Our skill level is deeper," Hextall said. "[Couturier] going to his level is a huge piece for us. The guys underneath they're all good players. Our skill level has increased."