Flyers working their way up standings

The Flyers, after a slow start, have worked themselves back to relevancy. Even after losing, 3-1, in Dallas on Friday, the Flyers are 5-2-1 in their last eight games and 12-12-6 overall.

While no coach is ever completely happy with his team, especially at the 30-game juncture, Dave Hakstol has seen some positive signs lately.

"We are starting to show more consistency," the first-year coach said Sunday in a telephone interview.

After a rough start, Hakstol realizes that things could have fallen apart easily. And while he emphasizes the Flyers have plenty of improvement to make, he likes how the team stuck together during the rougher stages.

"It speaks to the players in the locker room," he said. "They are competitive people who have come to work hard every day."

After playing consecutive road games, winning, 4-2, Thursday in St. Louis before Friday's loss in Dallas, the Flyers resume action Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Wells Fargo Center.

Hakstol wasn't ready to announce his starting goalie. Michal Neuvirth started both road games and was strong in each outing. Speculation was that Steve Mason would play against Dallas, but Neuvirth not only earned the start, he was sensational. He allowed two goals, with one empty-netter, and made 43 saves.

One of the positive developments for Hakstol in his first 30 games as coach has been the play of captain Claude Giroux, with 11 goals and 17 assists for a team-high 28 points.

"He is a pro in every sense of the word," Hakstol said. "He has set a great example."

mnarducci@phillynews.com

@sjnard