The Philadelphia Flyers extended their point streak to five games on Saturday night as they defeated the NHL’s top team, the Winnipeg Jets, in a 2-1 shootout effort.
The Flyers have now won their last four meetings against the Jets and have not lost in Winnipeg since 2022.
“Feds [Ivan Fedotov] was outstanding,” said head coach John Tortorella. “Playing against the best goalie in the league in [Connor Hellebuyck] … I thought everyone contributed. Neutral zone was good. We played well.”
Fedotov’s stellar night in net was the key for the Flyers to walk away from Canada Life Centre with two crucial points.
“Feds had to make some saves,” said Tortorella. “That’s a really good team obviously. They had some chances and Feds stood in there.”
Fedotov stopped 29 of 30 shots in regulation and overtime before going 3-for-3 in the shootout.
“Felt really good through the game,” said Fedotov. “First couple minutes, you need to find a way how to get through the game. Find the rhythm … pace, and after that, after a couple shots … just play your game. Keep your mind focused and sharp and try to make a save at the right moment for the team.”
FIRST PERIOD
The Flyers peppered Hellebuyck early and often, jumping out to a 6-1 shots on goal advantage. Mark Scheifele would break the ice, however, on Winnipeg’s second shot near the halfway mark of the opening frame.
The Jets almost capitalized on a shorthanded opportunity later in the period but Kyle Connor just missed the net on a breakaway and Morgan Barron’s follow-up attempt was blocked by Travis Konecny with Fedotov sprawling to try and get in the way as well.
Matvei Michkov had a breakaway chance that was stoned away by Hellebuyck just moments later.
Nicolas Deslauriers and Logan Stanley would drop the gloves before the period ended. They circled around at center ice together before they went tumbling.
The Flyers had the better of the chances and held a 14-7 shots advantage as the first period wrapped up despite being down 1-0.
SECOND PERIOD
Jamie Drysdale tied the game up just 3:48 into the second period on a beautiful shot after Noah Cates made an outstanding play inside the blueline to feed the defenseman, who had all sorts of time and space to fire home his third goal of the season.
The Jets fought back with 12 shots in the period, including a backhand attempt from Connor that Fedotov got a toe on to keep the game tied.
The Flyers had more quality chances as well, including a Konecny breakaway opportunity that Hellebuyck got a piece of.
28-19 would be the shots count in favor of Philadelphia as the middle frame closed out.
THIRD PERIOD
The Jets tightened up their game substantially in the third period, only allowing three Flyers shots to reach the net where they were met by the Vezina Trophy favorite Hellebuyck.
Bobby Brink had one of the best chances of the night early in the period but was robbed by Hellebuyck with the glove.
Winnipeg responded with nine shots of their own and received two late power plays to try and score a late go-ahead goal. Luckily Fedotov was up to the challenge and kept the Flyers in the game.
OVERTIME
The Jets had two shots to the Flyers’ one in the extra frame but neither team could find the game-winner. Winnipeg came the closest on a chance by Connor that was blocked by Cates in the crease in a marvelous defensive effort.
SHOOTOUT
Michkov dazzled in his attempt, which stood as the game-winning goal.
Fedotov shut the door at the other end of the ice to seal the deal and lift the Flyers to a massive victory over the top team in the NHL.
3 STARS OF THE GAME: 1) Ivan Fedotov – PHI, 2) Connor Hellebuyck – WPG, 3) Mark Scheifele – WPG
UP NEXT
The Flyers return to Philadelphia for a seven-game homestand that kicks off on Tuesday night against Morgan Frost’s and Joel Farabee’s Calgary Flames (7:00pm ET; NBCSP).
