The first two-game win streak since October, another offensive outburst, and the power play tallies another goal as the Philadelphia Flyers took down the Arizona Coyotes 5-3. It was an offensive affair as defense was seemingly thrown out the window with two teams near the bottom of the standings. James van Riemsdyk now has 3 goals in 2 nights and Martin Jones shut the door when needed as the Flyers now have a chance to build on a winning streak.
Coming off an opportunistic win last night against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Flyers needed to come out firing against the 5-win Arizona Coyotes. Scoring four goals on Laurent Brossoit last night helped their confidence a little as players like Sean Couturier, Kevin Hayes, and James van Riemsdyk were able to bust through goal droughts.
FIRST PERIOD
A fast start was vital for a game like this in what normally would’ve been a trap game in other years, but it meant a lot more now. James van Riemsdyk is heating up as he was able to score the game’s first goal just 1:14 in. Kyle Capobianco tried pulling a deke on van Riemsdyk coming out of his zone, but the veteran was able to pick pocket the defender, slow the play down, got Karel Vejmelka down early and slotted it through the five-hole.
That great feeling didn’t last long as the Coyotes were able to tie the game 39 seconds later on a rather broken play in front of the net. Jones had to make quick saves in succession but in doing was so was pulled out of his crease, which allowed Antoine Roussel to find an open Jay Beagle in the blue paint with an open net to look at.
SECOND PERIOD
Off another turnover, this one in the neutral zone, the Flyers were able to transition the puck quickly back into the offensive zone thanks to Justin Braun. Travis Konecny tried to pull off a dazzling move, it bumped off a Coyotes skate to an open Scott Laughton who had an open net with Vejmelka going the other way.
Just over five minutes later, the Coyotes were able to tie things up with a beauty of a shot from the point by Nick Schmaltz that hit the inside part of the net and bounced back out. Ilya Lybushkin potted the rebound just in case but however it happened, the Coyotes tied things up and the see-saw affair continued.
Luckily for the Flyers that didn’t last that long as they retook the lead 41 seconds later from a deadly giveaway from Vejmelka. It was a broken play in their own defensive zone but the puck found it’s way out of the zone thanks to an active stick of Patrick Brown.
The puck skipped away and was heading down towards the goaltender. Handling the puck out of his crease, both of his defenders within his vicinity, he fumbled the bag and threw it right to Patrick Brown with a yawning cage in front of him. A fantastic way to score his first goal as a Flyer as the play started and ended off his stick.
The Flyers power play is all of a sudden red-hot after the departure of Michel Therrien and Alain Vigneault. Coming into the game they were able to score thrice on the man advantage, twice last night, and they added another one off the stick of van Riemsdyk.
It was a sight for sore eyes as the Flyers were able to possess the puck and create chances on the fly. Pretty passing plays and shots on goal were something we never saw before. Konecny received the pass from Keith Yandle in the slot and ripped it through a screened Vejmelka’s arm. It was deflected by van Riemsdyk and now the power forward had 3 goals in his last 3 periods. The power play was also 4 for their last 10 and finally looking dangerous.
THIRD PERIOD
Coming out of the zone with another smooth exit, Morgan Frost looped the puck up for a streaking Cam Atkinson who had Claude Giroux to his right. The Flyers worked the odd man rush to perfection as Atkinson slipped a pass to Giroux with ease and he made no mistake as the Flyers all of a sudden are scoring goals at will. An anemic offense for most of the season, have punched in 4+ goals three times this week.
Off a defensive zone face-off win the Flyers failed to get the puck out of the zone and the Coyotes pounced less than four minutes later to cut the deficit to 2. Nick Schmaltz, who had a terrific game for the Coyotes, found Lawson Crouse wide open in the slot. He ripped a perfect seed past Martin Jones, who couldn’t get his glove up quick enough.
Up by two with eight minutes remaining in the third period, the Flyers were able to shut down the Coyotes the rest of way. A trait the Flyers have been hard pressed to master this season, looked rather easy as they were able to close this game out 5-3.
Martin Jones stopped 29 of 32 shots thrown his way, the Flyers received goals from James van Riemsdyk (2), Scott Laughton, Patrick Brown, and Claude Giroux. Travis Konecny had 2 assists with Keith Yandle, Morgan Frost, Sean Couturier, and Cam Atkinson recording an assist as well. The power play went 1 for 3.
The Arizona Coyotes received goals from Nick Schmaltz, Lawson Crouse, and Jay Beagle. Cam Dineen had 2 assists, while Schmaltz, Barrett Hayton, Loui Eriksson, and Antoine Roussel chipped in with an assist each. Karel Vejmelka stopped 29 of 34 shots.
The Flyers next game is against the New Jersey Devils as they look to wrap the season series with a victory on Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Center.
