VOORHEES, N.J. – The stat line for Tyson Foerster is not attractive: Eight games, no goals, no assists, a plus-minus of zero.
Kind of disappointing after coming back from a 49-game regular-season absence due to arm surgery to produce 13 goals and 17 points in 29 games with a plus-8.
Heading into Game 3 of the Carolina series Thursday night, the Flyers were looking for better things.
“The one thing is he’s not costing us stuff,” coach Rick Tocchet said after Wednesday’s practice at the Flyers Training Center. “I know he’s not getting the goals but I’m a big believer that if you’re not scoring goals, you can’t be a liability. He’s not a liability at that end, so at least he’s doing that right.”
Down 0-2 in the series, the Flyers need production from guys like Foerster, Matvei Michkov and Trevor Zegras.
“The goals will come,” Tocchet said. “He’s too good of a player. He’s been out for a long time and this is playoff pace. You have to play those reps in your mind but you also have to live it. I thought he was better last game. I’m not worried about him offensively but he’s done a real good job of not being a liability for us.”
Foerster knows what Tocchet is talking about. He’s making sure the opponent is not connecting when he’s on the ice to break even.
“It’s my job and the coaches’ job,” Tocchet said. “Even TK (Travis Konecny) is not scoring. You have to give them confidence by giving them credit with the other (defensive) things. And sometimes you’re going to have to win a game 3-2.”
Foerster never appears flustered, on or off the ice. Linemate Travis Konecny goes along with that analysis.
“He’s got no worries in the world,” Konecny said. “He’s just kind of living life, having fun, comes to the rink with a smile on his face every day. He’s a guy you want to be around, a guy you want in the locker room. I think that elevates his game, too.
“Comes to the rink, it’s just another one. Forget about the one before. He knows what he’s capable of doing. He’s confident, a great addition to the locker room. Great addition to the future of this team.”
Foerster was his usual laidback self as the media mob approached.
“We have some guys scoring and I’m trying to help out,” he said. “It’s been tough but I’m going to keep pushing and hopefully one can break through for me.”
How can he improve?
“I think these last couple games there haven’t been too many battles I’ve lost, defensively, PK and stuff like that,” he said. “I’m just trying to help the boys anyway I can.”
