Michael Del Zotto

Del Zotto requests accountability from slumping Flyers

Published Jan. 4, 2016 11:49 a.m. ET

foxsports

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Michael Del Zotto isn't interested in excuses.

Yes, every NHL team takes a bit to get going following the Christmas break, but the Flyers dropped all three contests of their California road trip - this on the heels of a blistering 8-2-2 stretch heading into the Christmas break. Del Zotto saw this turn of events happen last season with a five-game skid (0-4-1) coming out of the break, a result that the 25-year-old hopes his team avoids this time around.

Via CSN Philly:

"You have to realize it's your job to come to work every single day. Whether you have a three-day or five-day break or whatever it is - it doesn’t matter. You got to come to work and hold yourself accountable. Do whatever it takes to help the team win."

Del Zotto returned from an upper-body injury to register five hits and two shots on goal in Philadelphia's 2-1 setback to the Pacific Division-leading Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. The blue-liner has just one goal in 35 games this season, marking a far cry from the career high-tying 10 he scored with the New York Rangers in 2011-12 and again with the Flyers in 2014-15.

Best quote from #Flyers' locker room came from MDZ: "We can't expect to play 20 mins. and expect to win a hockey game."
— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) January 3, 2016

Philadelphia, which is averaging the league's second-worst goal total per contest (2.11), certainly can use some offense as it mustered just five tallies during its road trip.

The Flyers (15-15-7) return to action on Tuesday when they host the Montreal Canadiens (22-15-3).

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Michael Del Zotto

Philadelphia Flyers

National Hockey League