After losing the first game in the three-game series with the Penguins, the Flyers tried to take revenge on their rival between the two states. Four unanswered goals will solve the problem.
The worst news of the day came when we learned that Joel Farabee had been added to the Covid-19 protocol list and would not be available for tonight’s game. Along with the return of Sidney Crosby, the vibes entering this game were definitely not positive from the Flyers’ perspective.
Justin Braun replaced Shayne Gostisbehere in the most defensive pair and Brian Elliott started on goal.
1st period
It looked sinister when Elliott was forced to make a big break just 15 seconds into the period, and man, it was a sign of what was to come. Scott Hartnell nailed it: it was a nightmare start.
The first count was a Kris Letang kick from the spot that seemed to deviate from Travis Sanheim’s glove (who tried to block the kick with his open palm) and beat Elliott. Just 34 seconds later, the Penguins would mark again, this time Friedman, that the Penguins took the exemption just a week ago. It was his first goal in the NHL, and having seen his progression with the Phantoms over the years, I can’t help but feel happy for him – sue me.
Giroux tried to bounce the disc away after it burst into the air around the Flyers’ net, indirectly handing it over to Friedman, who made no mistake. Friedman, who apparently failed to break the Flyers lineup over Erik Gustafsson, who has been making a healthy scratch three consecutive games, or Robert Hagg, who has struggled to do a lot of positively this season, had quite the first two games for the Penguins .
But it was not just that. Jared McCann gave the Penguins a third scorer, just 37 seconds after Friedman’s goal. A strange man race separated the Hagg-Gostisbehere duo and some beautiful passes increased the Penguins’ lead once again.
Fortunately, the goals have stopped.
We will. With that resolved, let’s move on to a positive point: the Flyers’ power play looked good, and even scored! After a few good moments from Gostisbehere on the blue line, Sean Couturier blew up a home.
The Flyers did stabilize at the end of the period, but it is difficult to feel any positive emotions about that period. The story was the disastrous first four minutes.
End of first period: 3-1 penguins
2nd period
A much improved intermediate frame led the Flyers to fire at the Penguins, in addition to scoring the only goal of the period. Claude Giroux started the game behind the net, beating John Marino in a battle at the edges. Then, Nicolas Aube-Kubel found Oskar Lindblom wide open in front of Jarry. Jarry made the first stop, but failed to stop Giroux’s rebounding throw out of the net.
Friedman was eliminated from this game after Nolan Patrick prepared for a check and sent him to the ice, and he was not the only defender to be eliminated. Later, it was Phil Myers who suffered a late blow following a shot and left the game after a handful of turns, including one in the third.
But, honestly, it comes in the second period. The third period is where the game takes a turn for the better.
End of 2nd period: 3-2 penguins
3rd period
With one goal, the Flyers needed a solid 20 minutes if they wanted at least one point with this one – and they certainly did enough!
Before the tie, Elliott had to make an incredible stop at Evgeni Malkin to keep the game from a goal.
The Penguins were taking this to the Flyers in the early stages of the period, but suddenly the Flyers jumped in the attack and turned the whole game narrative upside down.
Travis Konecny found Giroux open in the middle of the ice, and his shot went out of Scott Laughton for the equalizer.
Giroux ended his performance in the acquisition with the tiebreaker taking place just over three minutes from the end of the period. The new look line consisting of Giroux, Lindblom and Aube-Kubel certainly worked well tonight.
Giroux’s winning goal came just over three minutes from the end of regular time after an excellent pass from Aube-Kubel.
What. A. Return.
End of third period: 4-3 Flyers
Three stars
3. Ivan Provorov
2. Nicolas Aube-Kubel
1. Claude Giroux