Rodrigo Abols continued his great preseason on Monday as he played a vital role in the Flyers’ 3-2 shootout victory over the Bruins Monday night.

For the second time this preseason, the Flyers won a game in a shootout by a score of 3-2. The shootout only lasted three frames.

Both teams were scoreless in the first 20 minutes of the game in Boston. The game would even go 30-plus minutes scoreless, but the Cates line would change that. Reunited for the first time since last season, Tyson Foerster, Noah Cates, and Bobby Brink made an impact right away. The Flyers’ top line from last season connected for the first score of the game, courtesy of Cates. Foerster picked up the primary assist in his preseason debut, with Brink earning the secondary.

Just over three minutes later, the Bruins would tie the game on Sean Kuraly’s first tally of the preseason. The game looked like it was going to head into the second break knotted at one, but Abols would change that.

Alexis Gendron found Abols just as he entered the neutral zone, who took it all the way down the ice and beat Jeremy Swayman, giving the Flyers the 2-1 lead heading into the break.

After a three-goal second period, it took until just past the halfway mark for another score. This time, it was Morgan Geekie evening the score for Boston. That score of 2-2 would carry past the final horn, bringing the game to overtime.

Five more minutes were not enough, so, for the second time this preseason, the Flyers went into the shootout in a 2-2 tie.

Bobby Brink scored on the first attempt, while the next two Flyers were unsuccessful. Fortunately, Dan Vladar closed the door on all three Bruins’ attempts, giving the Flyers their second win of the preseason.

The Flyers are back in action on Thursday, as they take on the New York Islanders back home at the Xfinity Mobile Arena, starting at 7:00 p.m.

Read More: Flyers Primer: Foerster’s Preseason Debut and Bubble Guys Against Boston

Abols Cements His Case for the Flyers’ Final Roster

Rodrigo Abols has arguably been the Flyers’ biggest standout of the preseason thus far. The 29-year-old centerman earned games with the Flyers last season, but entered camp on the bottom side of the bubble.

Abols has played each and every preseason game this year, and while many Flyers players have looked tired after back-to-back, Abols continues to make plays even without rest. Head coach Rick Tocchet says this extended look is more because of his versatility as a forward. Regardless of how or why he’s been given this long a look, Abols has taken advantage and not looked back.

With his goal on Monday, Abols has almost certainly earned his spot on the final roster. Barring anything crazy happening from someone like Jett Luchanko, Alex Bump, or Jacob Gaucher in the final two games of the preseason, it feels like it is his spot to lose.

Let’s also not forget that Abols, even with the camp he has had, will be the 12th/13th, maybe even 14th forward. He is much better suited for that role compared to a young, developing prospect like Bump, Luchanko, and even Grebenkin.

At this point, I would be shocked not to see Abols on the Flyers’ final roster.

Cates Line Has Not Lost a Step

In their first game action together since last season, it is very clear that the Cates line has not lost a step. The Flyers truly struck gold with that combination last season, and they proved it again.

Tocchet has recognized the chemistry between the three players and has said that he was excited to see them work together. With Cates’ goal assisted by Foerster and Brink, Tocchet got to see it in their first game.

I initially thought that Foerster could earn himself a “promotion”, getting top-six minutes this season, playing on the opposite wing of Matvei Michkov or Travis Konecny. Now, I feel like it could be foolish to separate the three players, and Monday was just the first example from this year, adding to the long list of reasons from last year.

The Cates line has not lost a step.

Vladar Looked Solid for the Flyers

Buried by the return of Foerster and Abols scoring yet again, backup netminder Dan Vladar had a very strong start. While he did not face more than 15 shots, Vladar would only allow two goals on the night.

Furthering the stance, he performed very well for the Flyers in the shootout, helping seal the team’s second win of the preseason.

The Flyers have been desperately trying to find some stability in net. Vladar certainly is not the long-term answer to the Flyers’ big issue. However, if he can play the way he did Monday night consistently throughout the year, he can provide significant relief to Sam Ersson.

Read More: Flyers Bubble Watch: Who Stood Out, Who Did NOT, in 5-1 Loss to Caps