It had been two long weeks since the Flyers claimed a win. After six games of frustration, the Flyers finally came out on the right end of a final score.
Steve Mason was a big reason for that, stopping 37 of 38 shots to down the Kings in the Flyers 2-1 win on Saturday afternoon.
Given the Flyers recent play, they did experience a slight turnaround on the West Coast. The first two games saw improved effort, despite the Flyers getting just one point over the two games.
The third game, Saturday, was arguably the Flyers worst effort of the road trip. They still survived and that's what mattered most.
"It’s nice to have this feeling after a game," Mason said. "They carried the play for the most part but our defensive players were playing extremely well making huge blocks. The second period, you try to make the saves and get through it. It was enough tonight."
One day after the Flyers solidified Craig Berube's place with the team and Ron Hextall saying the Flyers were not going to make any drastic changes just to make the playoffs, the Flyers took a step in the right direction.
"We battled hard, blocked a lot shots," Berube said. "The first half, we played good hockey. The second half, we were on our heels. They got a couple power plays that second period, which set us back a bit."
Berube stressed on Friday that defensive structure was the key to righting the ship. He even specifically mentioned that the Flyers had to win 2-1 and 1-0 games the way other teams were. The Flyers first win in two weeks was a low-scoring defensive success.
"We seem to play better against better teams and over the last three games, we seem to be getting better gradually," Wayne Simmonds said. "We played a harder and heavier game, and we limited the mistakes we made at crucial points in the game."
The Flyers grabbed three points on the three-game West Coast trip, and now head back east for one last road game before settling in for four straight games at home. The Flyers have points up for grabs then, but for now, can enjoy the success of a victory.
"We played good hockey on this road trip, to be honest with you," Berube said. "We went into San Jose and deserved two points. We blew that game. Went into Anaheim, battled hard against a real good hockey team and got a point, lost in the shootout and won a game today.
"This was a tough road trip. It really was. These teams are hard to play against. We matched them. The Kings came at us in the second half and we hung in there and did a lot of good things."
But the Flyers wouldn't have survived the final game of the road trip without Mason, who stood tall yet again. In a game where scoring was at a premium again, the Flyers needed to win with another factor. Mason was that x-factor.
"He’s been outstanding all season long," Jake Voracek said. "Almost 40 shots on net. Our defense did a great job but when they got the puck through, he was there for us."
With a win under their belts, it seems like the playoff talk is crazy. But the Flyers moved within six points of a playoff spot again. One hot streak turns the entire season around.
They said they needed a win to really get going. Now that they have it, the focus shifts to what happens next.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
