DENVER — It might not be very visible on the ice, but Ivan Provorov right now is the Flyers second-unit power-play quarterback.
The reason it’s not all that visible is because the 19-year-old rookie is still at the point, still shooting lasers on net, and moving into the high slot when necessary on that unit.
What’s missing is his mentor, Mark Streit, who will miss at least five games leading into the Christmas break with a left shoulder strain.
Provorov has Streit’s unit for now, working opposite Michael Del Zotto, who is Streit's physical replacement in the lineup right now. Del Zotto scored in the second period against Colorado after a Flyers' power play ended.
Provorov averages the most ice time of any Flyer — 20:38. Shayne Gostisbehere, who re-entered the lineup against the Avs after missing a game with a bruised right hand, is second in ice time average at 20:30. Ghost quarterbacks the first power play unit.
Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said that other than the designation of who quarterbacks what, nothing has changed for Provorov, although the responsibility of that power play unit is now squarely on his shoulders.
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“It doesn’t really change a lot,” Hakstol said. “He’s going to be in the same spot on that power play. His role doesn’t really change. I don’t think it alters his role in any way.
“He’s in the same spot doing the same things he’s done. It’s not going to change what he does on the breakout or in the zone.”
Provorov, who came into the game tied for ninth in the NHL scoring race among rookies with 14 points, doesn’t think his role changes much, either.
“We sorta have a little system we use,” Provorov said. “We have a few plays that we run. We try to do the same thing. We will definitely miss Mark. We still have plays we do and we’ll run them and see what happens.”
Against Colorado, Provorov he played 24:24. The power play was 0-for-3.
A year ago, the second unit belonged to Del Zotto. But he’s been in and out of the lineup at Hakstol’s discretion since late November and no longer takes on the QB role when Streit isn’t there. Still, Provorov can lean on Del Zotto for advice if warranted.
“We’ll do a little pre-scout before games, talk about our power play and try to contribute,” Provorov said of that relationship.
At the beginning of the season, Provorov was having some trouble getting his shots off cleanly at the point. His timing wasn’t there and he wasn’t moving around enough on the blue line to create space.
All of that has since changed. Provorov more or less dictates terms from the point. With games played and lots of video, he’s a quicker learner which is why he is already the Flyers' best, two-way defensemen on the club.
“Everything takes time,” Provorov said. “It’s different. Guys are better in the lanes than in junior. It depends how the other team plays. How aggressive they are. How many layers they have if there is in front of they try to box out.
“A lot comes into play. You look at video. And from experienced, it takes time, game-by-game. I’m on the right path.”
