Despite injuries taking 2 key players out of the lineup, the Flyers came out on top last night with a 5-2 win against the Sabres. From back-to-back-to-back goals to some outstanding goaltending, the Flyers looked solid all around.
Although Cam York eventually had to leave the game due to an injury, it didn’t stop him from making a less than ideal impact in the first period. A shot over the glass gave the Sabres their first powerplay of the night as York was sent to the box under a delaying game penalty. The Flyers nearly fought off the whole power play, yet Jason Zucker was able to get one by Ersson with just 12 seconds left in the powerplay.
Luckily, the Flyers were able to shift the game and give themselves some successful powerplays in the first period. Travis Konecny earned his 6th goal of the season on a wrist shot that flowed perfectly through traffic. Konecny tied the game on the powerplay after Buffalo’s Conor Timmins served a 2-minute minor for cross-checking Philadelphia captain Sean Couturier, who also went on to play an outstanding game. The Sabres challenged Konecny’s goal for delayed game, yet their challenge was denied and provided the Flyers with another powerplay only 40 seconds after Konecny ended their first. With assistance from the Travii, including Konecny’s 2nd point of the night and 16th of the season to tie him for the team’s leader in assists, Trevor Zegras brought it home with a slapshot. After the puck deflected off a Sabres’ skate and into the net, Zegras again overtook Foerster to be the Flyers leading goal scorer so far with 20 goals. The Flyers had an early 2-1 lead, yet their first period success didn’t stop there. Noah Cates scored yet again only 21 seconds after Zegras, and 59 seconds after Konecny, to give the Flyers a 3-1 lead heading out of the first period.
Cates and Brink were reunited as linemates in Wednesday’s game. The pair started the season together alongside Foerster, yet were separated after Foerster’s initial injury in early November. Both had 2 points in last night’s game, each scoring a goal and having an assist on each other’s goals. Brink closed out the scoring midway through the first period, and Cates kicked things off not even 2 minutes into the second period to give the Flyers a 4-1 lead. Cates had himself wonderfully in the slot to take the rebound from Brink’s one-timer. These two have undeniable chemistry, and I hope to see them continue to play alongside each other throughout the duration of Foerster’s injury.
Although the Sabres’ Bowen Byram was able to get their second and final goal of the night past Ersson, Owen Tippett responded not even a minute later to reinstate the Flyers 3-goal lead. Tippett scored out of the air on his own rebound for the final goal of the night, giving the Flyers a 5-2 lead.
The Sabres were clearly frustrated by the substantial Flyers lead, and took no liberty to hide it as the second period closed up. Cam York went to take a shot late in the period, yet suffered a nasty hit behind the net to take him out for the rest of the game. It was later disclosed that York suffered an upper-body injury, yet there is no further update regarding his return and whether or not he will be fit to play for Sunday’s matchup against the Colorado Avalanche. If he does not return on Sunday, it is expected that Noah Juulsen will be called up. Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin also earned himself some hefty penalties late in the second. He earned 5 minutes for a harsh boarding against Trevor Zegras, as well as a 10 minute game misconduct.
The Flyers were able to play strong defense throughout the third to keep things in the Flyers’ favor. Sean Couturier had an especially strong game, recording an assist and overall playing the 2-way style he’s known for. This earned him 3rd star of the game honors, with Cates and Zegras earning 1st and 2nd, respectively.
The Flyers continue their homestand as they face the league’s #1 Colorado Avalanche at 1:00pm.
Philly's Next Shift 