3 Takeaways From the Flyers' 5-1 Win vs. Stars

John Tortorella himself said it was one of the better games he's seen them play, and he certainly wasn't lying.

The Philadelphia Flyers returned to home ice after a statement three-game road trip sweep, taking on a red hot Dallas Stars team. The Flyers were able to majorly cool them down, however, putting in one of the more dominant performances we've seen from them this season. The wagon just keeps rolling!

The Flyers outshot one of the most prolific offenses in the league right now 43-16 (holding them to just one shot through the first 27 minutes of play), but that's not just a product of the offense having it together. The way the defense had total control over the Stars—especially another masterful performance by Sam Ersson—speaks volumes about how on point the Flyers are on both sides of the ice. 

Although the defense fared well without him the past two games, there's no denying that Jamie Drysdale's presence elevates the defense as well. His confidence is very clearly growing, and he looks to be adapting well to the Flyers system. The orange and black are not only enjoying monster goalie performances, but incredible defense in front of them.

It's really starting to look like that meeting with John Tortorella was the turning point for Frost. He's looked better and better with every shift since then, but this game against the Stars was particularly poignant. Frost was generating scoring chances like his life depended on it, and excelled everywhere from his skating to his passing to his overall reading of the game. 

Frost hasn't had the easiest time proving himself worthy of being a consistent fixture in this lineup, but this current redemption arc is showing not only how much he wants to be here, but how much he deserves to be in the lineup. 

The original Broad Street Bullies were able to get into their opponents' heads with skillful playing coupled with physical intimidation. The memes about the Bullies being back with this current Flyers team are referencing the aggression and physicality this team has brought to the table, but there's another tactic at play here—a cunning capacity to play mental games with their opponents. It became obvious against the Stars, when they were able to visibly frustrate the Stars without throwing a single punch or landing a harder-than-average hit. 

All it took was their unwavering confidence, relentlessness, and getting tricky and creative with their playing style. Staying cool and letting the Stars overthink the Flyers' next move was a significant factor in breaking down an already-shoddy defense while simultaneously keeping a hot offense quiet. (The "Dallas sucks!" chants echoing around the Wells Fargo Center probably helped a bit too.)

Owen Tippett's second goal of the night just needed to have its own section. 

The Flyers will stay on home ice against the Colorado Avalanche on Jan. 20 at 1 pm EST.

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