By JACK McCAFFERY

jmccaffery@delcotimes.com @JackMcCaffery

VOORHEES, N.J. — The Flyers were 0-and-3 when Peter Laviolette was fired. They will lug an 8-10 record into the Wells Fargo Center Thursday, when they will host the Buffalo Sabres.

That means they have gone 8-7 — and, thus, literally have been winners — under Craig Berube.

Small steps …

"It’s great to have a better record since the start of the season and since Chief took over but at the same time we’re still out of the playoff picture right now," Steve Mason said Wednesday, after practice at the Skate Zone. "There’s nothing to be smiling about until we get back there and in a more comfortable position.

"But things are starting to look a little more positive right now. At the same time, there’s still tons of work to be done.’’

There is. But there has been progress … progress that can be measured in the record.

"You always expect it. it takes a while to get the system down," Berube said. "When I took over, I wanted to get the skating up. Right now, I feel and believe our skating is getting to where it needs to be. A lot of that has to do with knowing the system and not thinking so much and just going. There’s always growing pain. It takes time to change things. It’s still going to take time. There is growing pains throughout the year."

 

 

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The Flyers have allowed two power play goals in each of their last two games.

Solution?

"Stay out of the penalty box," Berube said. "Look at the penalties the last three games. Just look at that. You can’t take five against the Penguins, can’t take four tripping and holding penalties against Winnipeg, and then seven penalties against Ottawa. They’re going to bite you.

"You can’t take stupid penalties."

 

 

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Though it took Sean Couturier 20 games to score his first goal, Matt Read appreciated his various contributions.

"Overall, his hockey IQ is high," Read said. "When he has the puck, he does the right thing 95 percent of the time. He’s solid. He has a heavy stick. In the defensive zone, he wins the majority of the puck battles. I think when he has time and space, he makes the right play. There are a lot of positive things that he does, and it’s something that I have enjoyed playing with him this year and the last couple of years together."

 

 

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Among the reasons for the Flyers’ slight resurgence has been the goaltending.

Mason is 3-0-2 in his last five, and has sliced his goals-against average to 2.12, 11th best in the NHL. Ray Emery has won two of his last three.

"It’s nice to hear but at the same time, that’s our job, to make sure we’re that steady force back there," Mason said. "We just have to continue to work hard in practice and make sure that, regardless of who’s in net, we give ourselves the best chance to win. So far it’s gone well. We just have to make sure it continues that way.’’