from Katie Strang of ESPN,
Wayne Simmonds may be one of the league’s most underrated players, with an impressive 24-goal, 54-point campaign he brings into Wednesday’s action. Though Giroux is pacing the field in scoring (24 goals, 50 assists), Simmonds ranks second among the Flyers, ahead of even Jakub Voracek. His contributions on the power play and in the defensive end have been absolutely vital in helping the Flyers solidify their position for a playoff spot with 11 games remaining.
The 25-year-old Toronto native has five goals in his past five games, while the Flyers have secured eight of 10 possible points in the standings during that span.
"He’s been a very good player for us. One of our most consistent guys," Flyers coach Craig Berube said Wednesday after the team's morning skate at Madison Square Garden.
While the Flyers still have some question marks lingering -- defense and goaltending chief among them, and a lack of even-strength success -- specialty teams have undoubtedly been the club’s biggest strength. The Flyers rank in the top 10 in both their power play and penalty kill and boast the league’s best power-play unit on the road with a dazzling 25.8 percent.
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