It was a redemption game for the Flyers, collectively and individually.
10 days earlier, the Flyers had suffered a 4-0 defeat to the Senators in the same building in the middle of a dreadful November. They had been playing better of late, but had just seven points in their previous 11 games in the month.
10 days later, on Tuesday night in Ottawa, the Flyers redeemed themselves with a 4-2 win over the Senators, their third straight and fourth in the last five games, continuing a string of strong efforts and positive results.
Within that third straight win, Evgeny Medvedev, playing in just his second game back after being a healthy scratch for the previous six games, created a turnover that led directly to an Ottawa goal. In the next period, he scored his first NHL goal.
Redemption comes in all forms. For Medvedev, the first goal couldn't have come at a better time.
The Flyers three-game winning streak is also coming at a perfect time.
This is a crucial month for the Flyers if they are to climb back in the playoff race. Just three weeks ago, it looked like there would be more talk of prospects and potential draft picks rather than playoffs. But the Flyers can change all of that with a winning streak.
Three games is a good start. Points in seven of their last nine games is too.
That stretch started on Nov. 14 when one certain defenseman played for the first time this season.
Shayne Gostisbehere scored again on Tuesday, his fourth goal in nine games. He's been key to the Flyers revitalized play of late.
With three wins against three formidable opponents in the last three games, the Flyers now get the tough task of keeping things going after another two-day break and against two opponents that have given them trouble over the last few seasons. On Friday, they face the New Jersey Devils, a stingy defensive team, and on Saturday, they host the Columbus Blue Jackets.
That precedes another stretch of games against tough playoff teams in the following week.
The Flyers may have turned things around. But this is only the beginning if they are to get their playoff hopes back to being a true reality.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
