Flyers takeaways: All eyes on Bobby Brink as losing streak ends vs. Lightning

Game by game, the Flyers had been playing better and more cohesively. On Thursday, they snapped a five-game losing streak with a 4-3 shootout win against the Tampa Bay Lightning. While it was important for Sam Ersson to get the win, all eyes were on Bobby Brink. The forward was everywhere. Here are three reasons why.

Moving his legs

Different line, same Brink. Skating with Ryan Poehling and Olle Lycksell, Brink was a driver as he kept his feet moving and used his speed to help the transition game, drive past the Lightning, provide puck support, and check forward.

Brink was rewarded with three points, including his second career multigoal game, each coming after he streaked down the right wing. The first came after his new linemates created space with a give-and-go on the left side. The second he sped past the Bolts' defense, and old buddy Cam Atkinson, before scoring on a backhand.

NHL Edge denotes Brink isn't the quickest guy, but he was flying all night, using quick footwork to gain speed. "Those two guys, [Noah] Cates and [Tyson] Foerester, are great to play with," Brink said of his ex-linemates. "But Lycky and Poehls played great today. Unbelievable plays on the goals and made life easy on me."

Puck support

After spending most of the season with Cates and Foerster, Brink brought their high-end puck support to his new line. On Poehling's goal — which gave Philly its second lead of the homestand — he chased down the puck before finding Lycksell.

"We were connected all night, starting in the D zone ... and then offensively, I thought we stayed close, made a lot of in-tight plays that were really nice," Poehling said. At 5-on-5, they were on the ice for nine shot attempts and two by the Lightning, one a shot goal. They didn't allow a scoring or high-danger chance.

Checking

It wasn't too long ago that coach John Tortorella wasn't happy with Brink's checking — and not just his hitting. But the 5-foot-8 winger has found his game and has impressed the Flyers bench boss with checking forward and high IQ game.

"I have been all over Bobby for the first couple of years and I just like the way he has handled it," Tortorella said. "He has just taken it on, I think he has accepted the challenge. And I'm happy for him because I think he has found an area that I don't think he thought he could play."

"He was a scorer in college, small guy, probably doesn't think he's good enough to check," he continued. "But he has found a way to play hard in those areas and I think that has taken him to another level this year." Brink finished with six shot attempts, three hits and two blocked shots in more than 16 minutes of ice time.