Flyers Postgame Blog: Martone Shows Out in No-Quit Effort to Pull into Playoff Position

It was truly a playoff-like atmosphere in South Philadelphia as the Flyers pulled into the No. 3 seed in the Metropolitan Division following a 2-1 overtime win against the Boston Bruins.

The crowd was energetic from the very start. For the first time in a long time, the game opened with God Bless America instead of the National Anthem, something once seen as a symbolic good-luck charm for the organization, going back to their 1974 Stanley Cup season.

Christian Dvorak electrified the crowd with a breakaway goal sprung by a crafty between-the-legs pass from Porter Martone. The Flyers were once again playing like the best team on the ice, controlling the game.

Once the second period rolled around, penalties began to take over. The Flyers were still playing most of the game in their own end, but the Bruins started to heat up, especially towards the end.

A Pavel Zacha power play goal in the early seconds of the third period took the wind out of the Flyers’ sails a bit, but did not quiet the crowd. They were in it from start to finish.

Boston started to really get going, and it looked like they could take the lead at any moment. Dan Vladar hung in there and made a number of big stops for Philadelphia. Eventually, the Flyers got their legs back and really turned the tables once again.

In the final five minutes of regulation, the Flyers were the dominant force once again. They could not score, but made it to overtime where Christian Dvorak drew a holding penalty. On the opening faceoff of the man-advantage, Trevor Zegras drew a high stick. At 5-on-3, the Flyers weren’t going to squander the two points.

In just his 4th NHL game, Porter Martone scored the overtime-winner off a rebound and capped off his spectacular game in storybook fashion.

Martone shines under the bright lights

This was always a big game for the Flyers. With the opportunity to pull into the 3rd seed in the Metropolitan Division, the pressure was on. You can tell that these are the types of moments that Martone was built for.

The bright lights did not faze Martone one bit. His pass along the boards to set up Dvorak’s goal was something that not every seasoned veteran could do. It was a creative, gutsy pass in the defensive zone that he executed to perfection.

“Not an easy play at all. And just right on my tape, I didn’t have to move my stick,” said Christian Dvorak after the game.

He had five shots on goal, two hits, and was not once phased by the pleasantries offered by the opposition. You can see he lives for it.

Then, the overtime winner. Sure, it was 5-on-3; the Flyers were probably going to score at some point. But Martone scored doing what he does best. He got in front of the net and, on the tough ice, battled and got the puck into the back of the net.

Martone recounted the moment shortly after the game. “It was awesome. You know, Zegras got me in a pretty good headlock there, so I didn’t really get to see it much. But, you know, it was awesome to get that win in front of these fans.”

For a 19-year-old kid to join a team in the middle of a playoff push, and not only look like he fits in, but be a driving force on the team, is mightily impressive.

Martone is a star in the making.

Vladar kept the Flyers in it

Dan Vladar did not face many shots. He turned aside 18 of the Bruins’ 19 shots on goal. Still, he was a rock for his team between the pipes and made the big stop when they needed it the most.

The first big stop that comes to mind is in the final seconds of the second period: David Pastrnak rips a shot on the power play that Vladar swallowed. It wasn’t a high-difficulty stop, but it’s one that Pastrnak typically is lethal from. He was well-positioned.

When the Bruins were starting to pick up steam in the third period, he held strong and kept the Flyers well in the game. After a quiet first period, the Bruins had a pretty decent second period as well, with their most chances.

It was a critical game for the Flyers, and their goalie once again turned in a great performance.

Power play struggles continue

Now, the not-so-great. The power play was not good. Not one bit.

During regulation, they went 0/3, and each power play looked poor. During the second power play, the Flyers did not stick to their units; they just started to wing it.

The one thing I noticed, especially during the first two, is that they move the puck well, but always make too many moves, and the extra one typically was a bad mistake. That’s been the theme all year.

After the game, Tocchet mentioned how the power play needs dramatic improvement, but that can’t be their focus right now. Now that they’re in a playoff position, they have to focus on holding on to their spot. Big changes can be implemented in the summer, but while they’re fighting to hold on to a playoff position, change could get in the way.

That makes it seem as if the “wing it” power play will go on for the rest of the season.

Flyers showed no quit, now they control their own destiny

It was an all-around great game for the Flyers.

The Dvorak line was skating well and was a strong presence all game. Travis Konecny and Christian Dvorak play so well with Porter Martone. They have been the most notable group.

The Flyers’ youth has really stepped up. Aside from Martone, Matvei Michkov and Alex Bump have been playing really well together. Trevor Zegras is making a constant impact. Even Denver Barkey, who did not play on Sunday, has been effective for the Flyers.

Developing defensemen like Jamie Drysdale and Emil Andrae had strong games once again, and have been a big part of the team’s late success.

For a team with a large young core to take on a talented roster like the Bruins and not back down when faced with adversity is a really encouraging sign.

With 5 games left this season for Rick Tocchet’s team, they have a one-point lead on the Islanders with a game in hand, two points on the Blue Jackets with the same number of games, and three (at the moment) on the Capitals. The Flyers control their own destiny.

Flyers Postgame Blog: Martone Shows Out in No-Quit Effort to Pull into Playoff Position

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