Flyers Lineup

James van Riemsdyk – Sean Couturier – Joel Farabee

Claude Giroux – Kevin Hayes – Nolan Patrick

Oskar Lindblom – Scott Laughton – Jakub Voracek

Michael Raffl – Connor Bunnaman – Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Ivan Provorov – Shayne Gostisbehere

Travis Sanheim – Justin Braun

Robert Hägg – Philippe Myers

Carter Hart – Brian Elliott

Erik Gustafsson, Travis Konecny (COVID-19)

Morgan Frost (dislocated shoulder)

Game Report

All but Travis Konecny had returned to the Philadelphia roster from the COVID-19 reserve list this weekend, and getting the top guns back in the lineup against a struggling Buffalo Sabres team was key in getting the Flyers back on track. 

After a commanding shutout against the Sabres in their own barn on Saturday, the Flyers took to the ice at KeyBank Center again on Sunday looking to repeat their actions. With Carter Hart in net for the first time since the disastrous game in Lake Tahoe, it was another big test for this resurging team.

First Period

Starting the game with a blatant delay of game penalty by Justin Braun wasn’t exactly the ideal way to kick things off. But Hart performed well on the penalty kill, and the teams were soon back at even strength. 

Buffalo’s defensive structure was strong in the opening frame, and the Flyers struggled to penetrate the offensive zone for any length of time. It took more than seven minutes for them to register a single shot on goal. 

But once they did, it seemed as if the gates were opened and Philadelphia went charging through. They soon soared past the Sabres on the shot clock, and even though they didn’t find the back of the net, you could feel momentum on the Flyers end of the ice.

Second Period

The second period proved to be the breadwinner for the Flyers. It started with Sean Couturier with a strong shot on Jonas Johansson that rebounded out to Joel Farabee. The young forward sharply shot the puck back at Johansson who allowed another rebound which Couturier scooped up and buried.

A minute and 15 seconds later, Michael Raffl deflected Robert Hagg‘s point shot to make it 2-0 for the Flyers. Buffalo was completely on its heels and chasing the puck wherever Philadelphia was controlling it.

Throughout the period, Hart continued to make some very key saves, looking calm and confident in net. It was a good performance from him, and showed that he had taken the week to overcome any negativity mindset from Nevada.

Before the second intermission, James van Riemsdyk, Farabee, and Ivan Provorov connected for the Flyers third goal of the period. It came on the tail end of a superb shift by Provorov, who showed patience with the puck, and systematic cycling by all five guys in orange on the ice. The Sabres players were exhausted and eager for a line change when Farabee put a quick shot on net that was tipped in by van Riemsdyk.

Third Period

What’s Next?

Plus / Minus

▲  Sean Couturier, Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim, Joel Farabee

▼  Kevin Hayes, Jakub Voracek