November 1st: New Jersey Devils 3/Flyers 4
The Flyers’ second meeting with the Metro division Rival, the New Jersey Devils, was a tug-of-war for the lead that took the game past overtime and into a shootout for a decision.
Things have been tough for the Flyers in the past few games and the schedule through November is going to be a gauntlet, including four back-to-backs. With a rough schedule coming up and players needing to step up, a win against the Devils was much needed.
Wayne Simmonds opened up the scoring with a power-play goal, taking advantage of a tripping call against Justing Braun. The goal was Simmonds’ first of the season.
Oskar Lindblom potted his seventh goal of the season with assists from Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny making him the Flyers top scorer and tying the game. Later in the period, behind Carter Hart, Matt Niskanen leveled Devils rookie Jack Hughes. The hit looked clean and Niskanen delivered the hit after Hughes turned away from the boards, but the hit sent the rookie backward into the boards in a dangerous position which roused Kyle Palmieri to action, dropping the gloves with Niskanen shortly after. Palmieri was given 17 minutes in penalties, including a two-minute instigator penalty for the Flyers’ first power-play of the night.
The second period was the Flyers turn to take the lead first as Sean Couturier, while dealing with an injury, blasted a slap shot past Mackenzie Blackwood from the faceoff circle. Speculation about Couturier being injured started when it was pointed out that the Flyers top faceoff man wasn’t taking faceoffs. Couturier only took three faceoffs, taking over for Konecny when he had to be replaced.
After the game, Couturier was asked about the lack of faceoffs and confirmed he is dealing with a minor injury that hampered his faceoff and (to a lesser degree) his passing saying, “I’m not feeling 100 percent but it’s part of a season. It’s a long season. You gotta battle through injuries. I’m just trying to do what I can to help the team win.” –Courier Post.
It was the Devils power-play that helped them tie the game again at two. Travis Sanheim caught an edge and fell leaving Nico Hischier free to get a pass to a waiting Sami Vatanen who put the puck over Hart’s shoulder.
Halfway through the third, Taylor Hall took the puck from a faceoff in front of Blackwood all the way down the ice for the Devils only even-strength goal. While being tackled from behind by Justin Braun.
To tie the game again, Joel Farabee scored his third first NHL goal. After putting up two goals that were disallowed earlier this season, Farabee finally netted his first official NHL goal that would eventually carry the game to overtime.
Nothing happened in overtime.
Couturier was the shootout hero, scoring the only goal for either team, with Hart shutting down all of the Devils shooters for the Flyers win.
Cage Cleaning:
- The Flyers center depth is in trouble. They’re already down two of their regular centers with Nolan Patrick suffering from migraine disorder, and Scott Laughton out after having surgery on his index finger. With Couturier playing injured, the Flyers are close to being down one of their best centers. Claude Giroux has filled in at center, but it’s obvious he’s better on the wing.
- Joel Farabee’s first NHL goal was inevitable. After scoring two disallowed goals, he’s proven that he can do it. The final piece was actually getting one to count.
- Flyers coach Alain Vigneault made a point to speak to Claude Giroux’s performance against the Devils when asked about the roughness of the game. “It wasn’t a pretty game, but we found a way to get the job done. We got some good saves, I thought our captain battled real hard tonight and tried to be a big part of this game at key moments.” Giroux didn’t factor into the win on the scoreboard but he seems to be taking a step in the direction Vigneault is looking for from the team’s veterans.
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