"As we get ready for the NHL All-Star Weekend, the Philadelphia Flyers sit in the second Eastern Conference wild card spot and are just one point out of second place in the Metropolitan Division. Not many thought the Flyers would ever find themselves in such a position after a 10-game losing streak between November 11 and December 2. However, a 16-6-1 run since then has the Flyers right in the thick of the playoff race. The Flyers have just two more points this year at the All-Star Break than they had at this point last season, but this team sure has a different feel. The young players like Travis Konecny and Ivan Provorov are filling out their roles nicely. Captain Claude Giroux is back to his productive ways. But, perhaps the biggest key to success this year has been the emergence of Sean Couturier. We have known that Couturier has been elite defensively for years, but were always waiting for the offensive part of game to blossom. His offensive did just blossom this year, they exploded as Couturier has already set career highs with 26 goals and 49 points with 33 games left to play. He needs just six more assists to set a new career high in helpers too. "We had some ups and downs, but I think we grew from those downs." Couturier told Sam Carchidi of philly.com of the Flyers season so far. "We learned from our mistakes, and lately I think we're playing some good hockey. We just have to refocus during the break and recharge the battery and get back to where we were." The Flyers are going to need Couturier to keep leading the way on both of ends of the ice after the All-Star breaks as they are in a dog fight for their playoff lives. "
