Flyers soaring up standings with forwards finally clicking

After winning their fifth game in six tries Sunday after a shootout against the Detroit Red Wings, the Philadelphia Flyers now find themselves just two points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot with three games in hand.

Claude Giroux, the Flyers' lone consistent scorer this season, scored the team's only regulation goal and added another in the shootout en route to a 2-1 victory. It's the improved output by the team's other forwards, though, that have been key for its recent success.

(Courtesy: NHL.com)

Last year's leading scorer, Jakub Voracek, recorded an assist and the shootout-deciding tally Sunday. He now has a goal and four helpers during his current three-game point streak. While he had just one goal in his first 30 games this year, he's scored four times in the 13 games since.

Wayne Simmonds picked up the other assist on the Giroux goal, putting him on a three-game point streak of his own. He's found the scoresheet in six of his last eight games as he tries to finish the season closer to his regular 50-point pace.

Though he was held without a point Sunday, Sean Couturier also looks to finally be reaching his offensive potential with 13 points in as many games after having just three goals and five assists as of Dec. 15.

With the Flyers' goaltending situation looking stable as ever with Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth, continued production from their key offensive pieces will be necessary, as they hope to extend their season beyond April 9.