The Philadelphia Flyers’ lingering inability to start on time once again had the team playing from behind for most of the game.
Philadelphia would come away with the 3-2 overtime win against the Blues on Thursday night, improving its record to 10-6-3.
Head coach Rick Tocchet emphasized correcting the Flyers’ mistakes from the previous week during a good week of practice. Headlining those corrections were not backing in, protecting the puck, and getting off to a quicker start.
While the Flyers managed 12 shots on goal in the first period, they did anything but start quickly. The St. Louis Blues virtually dominated the Flyers’ top-nine forward lines, with the team’s fourth line being the most productive.
After their first shift of the night, you could see the Flyers’ fourth line was buzzing. As for the rest of the forwards? That would take some time.
The Blues got the first score of the game on a Justin Faulk slap shot from the point. It seemed like just about everyone on the ice was blocking Dan Vladar’s sight of the puck. Without being able to see the puck all the way through, it was a tough save for Vladar. Faulk’s shot gave the Blues an early 1-0 lead.
Later in the period, Faulk would score once again, this time on the power play. Jake Neighbours found Faulk in a prime position for his second tally of the game.
The Flyers entered the second period with a hole to dig themselves out of.
Once the second frame opened, you could see some Flyers picking it up. Dan Vladar had a phenomenal second period, keeping them in the game and stopping all 10 of the Blues’ shots.
The offense was still lacking, but key contributions from Vladar and Emil Andrae, who was promoted to the second pair, kept the Flyers in the game. Philly was getting shots, but the quality was questionable.
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Flyers find their spark
It took until Rodrigo Abols (1) scored on the doorstep to cut the Blues’ lead in half.
With just over two minutes remaining in the second period, Trevor Zegras (14) beat three different Blues defenders to find Owen Tippett (6), who set up Abols with a spectacular no-look feed. Abols got rewarded with a goal after nearly 38 minutes where he looked like the preseason player who dominated.
Entering the third period still trailing, the Flyers’ momentum had faded away. Once again, the offense looked quiet.
That was until a Flyers’ power play, drawn by Trevor Zegras. It was Zegras himself who got things rolling, putting together a solid shift with the man-advantage, including having his equalizing attempt robbed by Joel Hofer.
No, the Flyers would not score on that power play, but it built some momentum back up. Eventually, they’d even the score.
Travis Konecny (10) made a great play to get the puck out to Emil Andrae (3), who set up Tyson Foerster (5) for a bomb from the top of the left circle. Foerster was not going to miss.
All of a sudden, the game was tied up at two.
Shockingly enough (the least surprising thing ever), the Flyers would go to overtime. Just like the last meeting with the Blues, 60 minutes was not enough, but this time, there was no need for the shootout.
Both teams had their chances. With just over a minute to play, Konecny (11) gave Sanheim (2) the short pass with speed as he sprang a two-on-none rush with Sean Couturier. The Flyers’ defenseman would take it himself and buried the overtime winner, giving Philadelphia the 3-2 comeback win vs. the Blues.
Once again, the Flyers overcame a slow start and found a way to come out of the game with two points.
What’s Next for the Flyers
The Flyers return to Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday when they host the New Jersey Devils at 7:00 p.m. EST.
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