You couldn’t ask for more as the Flyers beat the Sharks to sweep the West Coast swing. It wasn’t easy but in the end it’s the points that count and the Flyers skate away with 6 out of a possible 6 points.
The visiting Flyers beat the San Jose Sharks by a final score of 4-1 on Saturday evening. The final score may give the wrong impression of how this one went. With less than two minutes left in this game the Flyer were still protecting a one goal lead that they established at the end of the 2nd period.
They played twenty minutes without the safety net of an insurance goal before scoring two into the empty net as time was running down. This was another nail biter but it was also the Flyers 7th straight win on the road.
Owen Tippett
Owen Tippett continued his strong play on Saturday scoring the Flyers first goal against the Sharks. It was his 24th goal of the season and his 3rd in the last 5 games. Tippett has really stepped it up as of late making the most of his speed and playing a re-energized physical game. The Flyers don’t just expect this out of the 27 year old right winger, they need him playing at this level. Tippett led the team with 5 shots on goal against the Sharks.
Travis Konecny
Christian Dvorak scored the Flyers 2nd goal of the game late in the middle period to give them a 2-1 lead going into the third. Travis Konecny picked up the primary assist on Dvorak’s goal. That assist is Konecny’s 60th point of the season.
Travis is the team scoring leader with 25 goals and 35 assists. This is the 4th consecutive season that he’s reached 60 points or more. TK reached his career high of 76 points last season when he played all 82 games. He’s played 65 games so far this season. There are 13 games remaining on the regular season schedule.
This was a rare power-play goal for the Flyers who continue to run the NHL’s least effective man advantage. Garnet Hathaway drew the penalty by getting involved in some rough stuff around the Sharks net, but showing restraint and skating away before being asked to join Mario Ferraro in the sin bin. Hathaway was getting high-fives on the bench from his teammates after the power-play goal was scored.
Travis Sanheim scored the 1st empty net goal for the Flyers, Noah Cates scored the 2nd. Cates scored a goal in every game of this swing out west notching 4 points over the last 3 games. He also dropped the gloves with San Jose’s Barclay Goodrow to avenge a hit on Trevor Zegras.
Dan Vladar
Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar gave up just one goal in this contest and was solid throughout stopping 24 of 25 shots. Vladar has been the difference in so many games for the Flyers this season.
Vladar to Philadelphia this year with a mission and he has certainly made a huge impact on his new team. The 28 year old netminder has played a career high 43 games so far this season. His record is 23-11-7, he’s holding down a 2.41 GAA with an overall save percentage of .908.
The Sharks had a power play in the 3rd period while the Flyers were protecting their one goal lead where Vladar was flat out exceptional. The Sharks were swarming and loading up Macklin Celebrini for one-timers over and over again. Vladar held tight as he did throughout the game. Another fantastic performance.
Where things stand
The Flyers return from a very successful road trip to face the Columbus Blue Jackets Tuesday night on home ice. The Flyers have been inching their way back into the pack after a disastrous January that very well may have destroyed their playoff hopes for this season. As things stand that is still a “maybe” especially after this trip.
At this moment with 80 points, the Flyers are 4 points behind Boston and Detroit (tied with 84 points) for the wild-card positions in the East. They are 5 points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for 3rd place in the Metropolitan Division. As far as the Flyers playoff hopes are concerned this upcoming game against the Blue Jackets on Tuesday is HUGE.
Extra Credit: One of the highlights of this West Coast trip has been keeping tabs on the Phans of Philly group that traveled across the country to support their favorite hockey club. It looks like they’re having a blast and I’m sure the team is enjoying it as well.
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