The work has produced positive results, though Hartnell still has a penchant for untimely penalties (14 minors, tied for fifth in the league).
In the last 16 games, Hartnell has nine goals and eight assists. His resurgence started after he was put on the team's top line, with Claude Giroux and Jaromir Jagr.
"My body didn't feel 100 percent coming into camp," said Hartnell, who leads the Flyers with a plus-10 rating. "It took a lot of time until I felt comfortable getting back on my skates, holding pucks in the corner."
The 29-year-old winger said coach Peter Laviolette told him he needed to get in better shape. Since then, he has been one of the Flyers' most productive players.
"The message was sent," Hartnell said. "I spent extra time in the gym."
With several key players traded or lost through free agency in the offseason, the Flyers need Hartnell to play a leading role. So far, he had done just that, climbing to second on the team with 19 points.
Now if only he can reduce some of those penalties.
Injury update. It is likely that Chris Pronger (virus), James van Riemsdyk (upper-body injury), and Jagr (groin) will be with the team when it travels to California on Tuesday. The Flyers play in Anaheim on Friday.
"I don't see any reason why they wouldn't," said Holmgren, adding that Pronger's virus was not related to his early-season eye injury.
Holmgren said Andreas Nodl was fine and ready to play; the winger left Saturday's game after an injury suffered in a collision with teammate Danny Briere.
Breakaways. Holmgren on the team's 13-7-3 start: "Overall, we have to be pleased when you look at all the changes and [injury] issues. But we're still working on things and working on getting better.". . . Entering Sunday, Giroux was second in the NHL in points with 29 and tied for third in goals with 13. . . . The Flyers did not practice Sunday and will be off again Monday. . . . Dating back to last season, the Rangers have won their last three meetings with the Flyers and have outscored them, 12-2. They meet again Dec. 23 at Madison Square Garden before the Jan. 2 Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park. . . . Zac Rinaldo had a league-high 82 penalty minutes entering Sunday.
Contact staff writer Sam Carchidi at scarchidi@phillynews.com or on Twitter@BroadStBull
