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2010 Stanley Cup Finals, Game 4: Flyers not worried about top line’s struggles

Image (1) Carter2-thumb-250x166-12935.jpg for post 1942

The top line of the Philadelphia Flyers have not had a good series against the Hawks, but the rest of the team isn’t really all that worried about it.

After all, the Flyers survived until the third round without leading scorer Jeff Carter. Simon Gagne’s return in the second round helped spark the Flyers’ historic comeback against the Bruins, yet since scoring seven goals in seven games against the Bruins and the Canadiens he has just one point in his last five games. Still, the Flyers keep winning and the rest of team has found ways to step up and make up for the lack of production from their best players.

Coach Laviolette is far from worried, and says he was pleased with what he saw from the trio on Wednesday night.

“You’re talking about really three of our top goal scorers on the team, there are others as well,” Laviolette said when asked about potentially breaking up the top line.

“But those three guys are capable of putting the puck in the net. Their opportunities are there. Their chances are there. And I think what I look for anyway in a line is: are they getting looks? Are they getting opportunities? And they are. Some of them are hitting the net. Some are getting blocked. Some attempts are missing the net. But the chances are there. So we’ll continue with that line.”

One aspect of the top line’s lack of production has been the continued struggles of Jeff Carter. Carter returned from his injury in Game 4 against the Montreal, and scored two big goals against the Habs in the series-clinching game. Since then, the top line of Gagne, Richards and Carter is a combined minus-15, with just one goal and three points between them. Carter has yet to show that he can keep up with the tremendous pace of the series so far, and has yet to get to use his true speed and goal scoring ability.

Mike Richards isn’t ready to put the blame on Carter, however, and says he sees improvement each game in his linemate.

“I think when you’re not on the ice for a long period of time, your hands, it takes little bit to get back. I think they’re coming back. He’s starting to get more shots there now. The little areas, the little passes, in the corner I think he’s obviously doing a lot better job of finding those seams, and the little plays through people.”

During Wednesday’s game I noted that Mike Richards didn’t exactly resemble the captain of a Stanley Cup winner, as he struggled all game long with sustaining pressure on the Blackhawks and made several poor decisions as he pressed and tried to make plays that just weren’t there. I wish I could find a note I made on Carter, but there weren’t any -- Carter was nearly invisible.

Whether it’s just the injury that’s holding him back, or the incredible play by Duncan Keith and company, there’s no doubting that the best players on this Flyers team are struggling and Carter is at the center of that. Thankfully, this is a team that has survived due to its dept and this is a team that is supremely confident in its role players continuing to make a difference.

We’ve said it for over a week now, but the Flyers will eventually need Carter and the top line to make a difference. For now, we’ll continue to cover their struggles; something that’s not as big a deal after they’ve won a big overtime game at home.