The Flyers are back! In their first game since being eliminated by the New York Islanders in game seven in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, they handily took care of the Pittsburgh Penguins by a score of 6-3. Goals were scored by James van Riemsdyk, Nolan Patrick, Joel Farabee, Michael Raffl, Oskar Lindblom, and Kevin Hayes. JVR and Patrick both scored power play goals in the first period, both coming off deflections on Erik Gustafsson shots from the point. Farabee picked up four points with assists on both power play goals and another assist on Hayes’ goal. The young Farabee is on pace for 56 goals and 224 points. His four-point game puts him in the lead for the Art Ross Trophy (Leads the league in points) race.
Returns
Forget about the result of the game. Win or lose, it was great to see both Nolan Patrick and Oskar Lindblom on the ice after what they both have been through. Patrick, who played over 14 minutes, made an instant impact on the powerplay, registering a goal and winning the face off in the offensive zone to get the unit set up. Overall, he won eight of his 14 draws and played a really solid game. Oskar Lindblom played a great game as well. He was everywhere. He blocked shots (3), killed penalties, and was rewarded with a goal. Fittingly, the goal came while he was fighting for the puck in the crease. Although, it was not his initial shot that went it, the puck still bounced off of his head and into the goal. It is a shame there will not be fans allowed in the building as Lindblom and Patrick, whom both deserved standing ovations for what they have been able to overcome.
Joel Farabee
Four points for Farabee as he was absolutely terrific. He helped set up both power play goals, scored a goal down low, and also assisted on Kevin Hayes’ goal in the third period. I expected Farabee to have a really good year and he is off to a scorching hot start. Playing with Claude Giroux and Kevin Hayes is going to help him grow and develop. This line is going to put up some huge numbers this year.
Carter Hart
Aside from Sidney Crosby’s goal, Hart was very good. He had great rebound control and stopped 31 of the 34 shots the Pens threw at him. Hart is going to start again on Friday night against the Penguins again before the Flyers start their series with Buffalo. If there is one thing Hart really needs to improve on, it is his puck handling. Crosby made an incredible play, knocking the puck down out of midair, and shoveling it into the net one handed, but Hart just cannot make that play.
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Power Play
Where were these power play goals in the playoffs? JVR, doing what he does best in front of the net, was able to re-direct a shot past Tristan Jarry while also providing a screen, giving the Flyers their first goal of the season. About three minutes later, Nolan Patrick was able to get his stick on a shot that wound up in the back of the net. A healthy Patrick will be so good for this power play. His impact might not always show up on the scoresheet but he commands so much attention that it frees up shooters to be able to bury their chances.
What to Watch for on Friday Night
Keep an eye on Sean Couturier. Coots had an assist in game one and played well defensively, but he was positioned well to produce a little more offensively. Playing alongside two snipers in Travis Konecny and Lindblom, do not be surprised if Coots ends up with a few more assists in the next game. Kevin Hayes is another player to watch. Hayes had two goals in the orange vs. black scrimmage (take that for what it’s worth) and potted another one on Wednesday. When Hayes gets hot, he scores goals in bunches. We saw in the playoffs how much damage he is capable of doing in such little time. Finally, look out for the fourth line. Alain Vigneault (AV) played his fourth line of Raffl, Laughton, and NAK against the Crosby line a lot. AV is confident in them and the kind of grind it out game they play. We’ll see if it carries over into Friday night.
