We’ve been doing these so-called “obligatory” check-ups on
James van Riemsdyk all year long. Now let’s do one on Luke Schenn.
After all, he was only the Flyers’ most dominant defenseman
on Thursday night – perhaps even the most important player on the ice in a 5-3
win over the Maple Leafs that extended Philly’s improbable winning streak to
four games.
Brother Luke has been solid for the Orange & Black all
season, but he saved his best performance yet for his former team. Schenn
played nearly 26 minutes in Toronto, posting a +3 with five shots on goal, four
blocked shots, and six hits – all of which were Flyers highs.
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And just to put the icing on the cake, the elder Schenn
sealed the deal with an empty netter from deep in his own end to mark
his third goal of the season.
Keep in mind the Flyers are already without Nicklas
Grossmann, Braydon Coburn, and Andrej Meszaros. Kimmo Timonen also left the
contest with an unspecified lower-body injury. This kid has every excuse in the
book.
Despite all of that, the 23-year-old Schenn has been a rock.
Sure, James van Riemsdyk managed to score his 15th goal of the season, but
which of the two players would have been more impactful for the Flyers in this encounter? This season?
Schenn had already been enjoying the change of scenery up to
this point, but nights like the one he had against the Leafs make you wonder if
he’s about to arrive as a premier blueliner in the NHL. He put this game on his
back.
News
With the win, the Flyers are just two points back of a playoff spot. Who would've even thought that possible two weeks ago?
>> BOX SCORE [Yahoo!]
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