The Philadelphia Flyers rang in the new NHL season with a bang in a convincing 6-3 blowout of the Penguins. Despite Pittsburgh outshooting Philly 34-25 and some lines struggling to get going, the Flyers still poured six past Pens goalie Tristan Jarry. After a horrid showing in the postseason, Philadelphia’s powerplay went 2/3 and set the tone. Both powerplay goals were from the second unit as new signing Erik Gustafsson (2 A) kept firing from the blueline. Joel Farabee (1 G, 3 A) headlined a list of impressive performances as the 20 year old forward recorded four points in the win.
First Period
Alain Vigneault opted to use the Lindblom-Couturier-Konecny line to start the 2021 NHL season. Oskar Lindblom went from being diagnosed with cancer to being in the starting lineup of an NHL season opener in a little over a one year span.
Lou Nolan asked an empty Wells Fargo Center if they were “ready for some hockey” and the puck dropped.
Pittsburgh opened the scoring a little over five minutes in when a bad bounce slid to Mark Jankowski in front. The play would be reviewed, but it was determined the puck crossed the line.
Jake Voracek would draw a slash later in the period after a good sequence from Philly. Erik Gustafsson almost had his first goal as a Flyer when Tristan Jarry couldn’t find his shot in the crease.
Gustafsson got on the scoresheet during that powerplay with a shot from the point. James van Riemsdyk did what he does best and tipped the shot in front to tie the game at one.
The second powerplay unit was not done yet. Gustafsson fired another puck on net and this time it hit Nolan Patrick in front. It originally was ruled a Gus goal, but was later changed to Patrick. Video review showed it went off Nolan’s “big hockey butt.” It was his first goal in 676 days after missing all of last season with a migraine disorder.
Erik Gustafsson is already paying dividends as the only free agent signing in the offseason. With the powerplay being the main reason the Flyers stumbled in the 2nd round during the summer, it’s encouraging to have the 2nd powerplay unit start off 2/2. Joel Farabee registered assists on both Flyers goals in the period.
Second Period
The Penguins would storm right back three minutes into the second period. Carter Hart went to play the puck behind the net and turned it over right in front to Sidney Crosby who took full advantage, tying the game at two.
In a game of back and forth throughout the first two periods, the Flyers erased Hart’s mistake with a little over a minute left. Young Beezer received a pass from Kevin Hayes and slid right in front of Jarry uncontested. Farabee’s third point of the night gave the Flyers a 3-2 lead heading into the third.
Third Period
In another quick goal to start the period, Brandon Tanev equalized for the Pens with a snipe past Carter Hart.
That would be the last goal Pittsburgh would get as the Flyers took off afterwards.
The fourth line of Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Scott Laughton, and Michael Raffl all combined for the go-ahead Philadelphia goal. The Flyers caught the Crosby line mid-shift and made them pay after Laughts found Raffl in front.
The Flyers were not done yet. About seven minutes later, first line center Sean Couturier whipped the puck in front towards Oskar Lindblom. Mayhem ensued in the crease and Travis Konecny backhanded it on goal. The 5th goal was originally awarded to Konecny, but the NHL changed it to Lindblom post-game.
Kevin Hayes doubled the Philadelphia lead at 6-3 20 seconds later. Farabee notched his fourth point of the night as he stopped and shot it on net from the top of the zone. There was a perfect bounce of Jarry’s pad to Kevin Hayes’ stick to wrap up the hockey game.
News and Notes
Erik Gustafsson had two assists in his Flyers debut. He was the only signing of the offseason for Philly.
Travis Konency petitioned post-game to get his goal changed to Oskar Lindblom and it did:
The Flyers won a season opener in their home building for the first time since 2003 (2-0 win against TOR).
Nolan Patrick and Oskar Lindblom both scored in their returns to the Wells Fargo Center. Nothing, but positivity radiating around this 2021 Flyers team.
Joel Farabee led the NHL in points (1 G, 3 A) after one night of hockey. He’s the 2nd player in Flyers history with a four point opening night game (Ray Allison).
Travis Konecny recorded an assist in his 300th NHL game.
