The Flyers take down Edmonton 5-3 to start their west coast trip! The Oilers were undefeated entering the night and Philly is still without Ryan Ellis. I couldn’t be more thrilled with the effort tonight.
Here’s how my brain dissected the action in real time!
First Period – Wild Action!
- Ristolainen called for a high sticking penalty to start the game off. I normally don’t blame the refs too much, but wow was that not even close to the right call. Good PK by the fellas
- Hyman takes an offensive zone penalty trying to forecheck Sanhiem.
- JVR awesome chance off the rush on PP. Couturier drives the net to open up a passing lane for third-man high!
- Ristolainen getting PP2 time instead of Sanhiem
- Justin Braun: one of the worst turnovers in the D zone I’ve ever seen in my life. Lazy, 1 hand on his stick trying to nonchalantly redirect it? He’s a veteran and needs to understand the 4th line was out there, too. McDavid and the Oilers generate more
- Flyers Goal (1-0): Ristolainen rubs forward off in their own zone and Flyers get out in transition. Couts pulls up on the zone entry and finds TK in the slot. Giroux wrap around! Tough time to be a G hater, what an amazing start to the season!
- Flyers Goal (2-0): 4th line grind! Koskinen misplays the puck behind the net. NAK, Nate Thompson, and the crew bang down low until it crosses the goal line. On the road against a 5-0-0 squad? Yeah I’d say depth scoring is important
- Oilers Goal (2-1): Nick Seeler flopping around the ice like a damn fish. Not many times has he looked like an out-of-the-lineup guy yet. This is what happens when a 7th D man gets more playing time though. Tyson Barrie with a beautiful top shelf backhand
- Ristolainen stuck in quick sand right in front of his own bench. Caught flat footed and completely whiffed on the puck. McDavid flies by with ease. It’s very early, but I see everything the analytical crowd hates about Risto. Something tells me these type of mistakes will not be going away anytime soon.
- JVR finds Lindblom for a great one-timer
- KONECNY ROBBED BY KOSKINEN!!! Couldn’t elevate his shot
- McEwan awful hit on Ceci. What was he thinking? Very dangerous.
- Oilers PP Goal (2-2): McDavid tries to pass, finds the back of the net. The Flyers took way too many penalties against Florida before heading out west. 3 first period penalties? Playing with fire allowing McDavid and this crew to work the man-advantage.
- Flyers Goal (3-2): CAM ATKINSON BUZZER BEATER!! INCREDIBLE EFFORT UTILIZING HIS FEET TO KICK THE PUCK TO HIS STICK
- CLAUDE GIROUX IS FIRED UP ON THE BENCH AND I’M READY TO RUN THROUGH A WALL FOR MY CAPTAIN
My Captain. pic.twitter.com/TkycR7bSl0
— Hunter Brody (@Brodes81) October 28, 2021
Second Period – Survive and Advance
- Oilers Goal (3-3): Hyman scores after a pretty passing sequence in the slot. McDavid beats Ristolainen on the wall, Atkinson loses a stick battle, and Sanhiem’s coverage was way too soft. Squeaks through Hart. Blame to go around on everybody.
- Lindblom blocks a HEAVY clapper right on the skate. THE BOYS LOVE IT
- RNH breakaway and misses the net! D change very poor.
- Blue line turnover. Carter Hart nice save on McDavid. Yandle stuck out there for 3+ minutes
- The boys are bought into blocking shots tonight for sure!
- McDavid is good.
- Carter Hart making sharp saves and poised in his crease
- Ristolainen good stick on puck, but hit in the face as the period ends….
- Need to be sharper heading into the 3rd
Third Period – Win a period, win a game
- Flyers down a defenseman as Ristolainen did not return. Going to be tough playing with 5 D going up against this type of fire power and speed (He ends up returning. Missed about 7 minutes of action or so)
- Flyers Goal (4-3): Excellent transition pass by Justin Braun off the wall. Cam Atkinson clap bomb and records his 2nd of the night!! A little give-and-go with Brassard won’t go unnoticed!
- Damn! Giroux WIDE OPEN NET BACKDOOR and missed!
- Flyers buzzing! Sanhiem throws a biscuit on net. Laughton redirect at the blue paint and is cross checked. Here’s a moment to add insurance!
- Power play over. Laughton stoned on the breakaway!
- 11-3 in shots in favor of Philly just about halfway through the period. Recipe for success, I’d say!
- Konecny interference penalty with 6:12 to play. I don’t love the call. McDavid and TK were actively being physical up ice. The last bump forced McDavid to run into the net.
- Hart great save on Draisaitl one-timer!
- Carter Hart again with traffic after a shot from the blue line!!
- Back to full strength! 4:12 remaining
- A few icings trying to close out the game. Did TK have space to skate before attempting to score in empty net? Could he have passed it to Couturier?
- Flyers Empty Net Goal (5-3): Travis Konecny was offsides. We will take it!
Side Notes
- What an awesome 20 minutes to solidify the win
- Carter Hart deserves a ton more bullet points than I gave him credit for!
- 26 blocked shots total for the Orange and Black!
- Justin Braun was +4!