Coming off the Flyers recent 10-game losing streak, and getting hit with injuries plus Danny Briere’s arctic-like cold streak, and amid coaching rumors, the Flyers have been searching for other players to step up. Enter Jeff Carter.

Very quietly, Jeff Carter has begun to show signs that he might be a dominant force in the league. He has been the Flyers best forward since Christmas, and with the discovery of first-line-potential offense from Mike Richards, Jeff Carter has found other way to contribute as he continues to find his offensive groove. Carter, not Mike Richards, because John Stevens’ go-to-shutdown center, and top penalty killer.

Since being drafted by the Flyers in 2003, Carter (11th overall) was thought of to be the possible first line center for the Flyers, while Richards (24th overall) would be the second fiddle captain, but through the beginning part of this season, it was Richards who found his niche, and people were looking for answers from Jeff Carter. Carter, who led the 2005 Calder Cup playoffs in scoring, had been voted the best penalty killer in the OHL, but the Flyers had yet to see his best going either direction.

What people did not see with the Flyers hot start and contributions from Briere and Richards, was that Carter’s game was coming on just as strong. Carter has been the Flyers best forward since Christmas, something people failed to see during the red hot January and ice cold February the Flyers had.

On Monday, Carter sparked a Flyers comeback in Buffalo. After going down 3-0 early, the Flyers looked to be headed towards a franchise record 11th consecutive loss, and possibly another early summer vacation. Carter scored on a breakaway, followed quickly by Scott Hartnell’s goal, and then R.J. Umberger’s game-tying goal in the 3rd, a scoreless overtime set the stage for a Flyers win on goals from Carter and Briere to end the losing streak.

Last night against Ottawa, with the team still being faced with injuries, and Briere having to get used to yet another new linemate, newly-acquired Vinny Prospal, and a Senators team with Bryan Murray back behind the bench, Jeff Carter’s line took center stage. After Jason Spezza was given a game misconduct for butt-ending after scoring a goal, the Flyers scored three times in the second half of the game. Carter’s line, with Scottie Upshall and Mike Knuble dominated the Senators, not just shutting down Daniel Alfredsson (-3) and Dany Heatley (-3), but Mike Knuble’s scored twice, one of which set up by Upshall’s break to the net and sparked the Flyers to a 3-1 win.

Since the Flyers are hit hard with injuries to Mike Richards, Derian Hatcher, Joffrey Lupul, Denis Tolpeko, Jaroslav Modry and Simon Gagne, the Flyers are going to have to win games the hard way: great goaltending and defense, and hope your best line scores twice, which is exactly what happened last night. This will need to continue with a tough stretch upcoming, the Flyers 5 games in 8 days starting with an afternoon game on Long Island.