'Resilient' Philadelphia Flying To Fastest Start In 17 Years

Ready or not, here come the Philadelphia Flyers. Actually, it appears the Flyers have already arrived.

In fact, Sunday's 4-3 victory over the New York Islanders marked the Flyers' fourth straight win, and at 7-2-1, their best start in 17 years. They are 5-0 when they score first, which has happened a lot so far this season.

Veteran left winger James van Riemsdyk is leading the charge with 12 points, while centers Kevin Hayes and Claude Giroux and right winger Jakub Voracek have 10 apiece. Mostly, the Flyers will tell you the hot start has been a teamwide effort in the truest sense.

“Everyone knows that our 5-on-5 play hasn’t been great, but we’ve gotten two points in four consecutive games,” Hayes said about Sunday's win. “You can’t be too upset when you’re getting two points every single night. I thought tonight was our best 60-minute effort in a long time. I know we gave up a two-goal lead, but ultimately we didn’t break.”

Hayes scored the game-winner Sunday, and goalie Brian Elliott improved to 3-0. "It’s a resilient group,” Hayes said. It’s very easy to point fingers and start panicking. This team doesn’t do that."

The Flyers also opened the 2002-03 season with a 7-1-2 mark.