Sean Couturier had a goal and an assist in regulation, but provided the go-ahead goal in the shootout as the Flyers downed the Devils, 4-3, on Friday night in Newark.
Carter Hart made 23 saves on 26 shots to get back in the win column, and came up with a couple huge saves in the third period and the shootout after Joel Farabee came up with a clutch tying goal late in the third period.
It ends an ugly two-game losing streak for the Flyers, who bounce back after a 7-1 thrashing at the hands of the Penguins last time out.
After a couple chances for both teams in the first part of the period it was a penalty that would get the Flyers in hot water early.
With Justin Braun in the box for tripping a familiar face would burn the Flyers, and that was of course Wayne Simmonds. It’s his first power play goal as a Devil after scoring oh so many as a Flyer over the years to make it 1-0 Devils 6:42 in.
#NJDevils get on the board first after a quick tuck by Simmonds#WeAreTheOnes | #PHIvsNJD https://t.co/GMQpi2kC4g pic.twitter.com/vk6YcRdgjw
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) November 1, 2019
Nope, don’t like it.
But one of the men tasked to replace some of the goals that departed when Simmonds did is Oskar Lindblom, and boy is he off to a fine start.
The beneficiary of a pretty passing play between Travis Konecny and Sean Couturier before Lindblom roofed one in tight past MacKenzie Blackwood to even things up at 1-1. It’s the seventh of the season for Lindblom, while Simmonds just potted his first earlier in the night.
Lindblom ties the game! pic.twitter.com/NOiUhSTZWh
— Broad Street Hockey (@BroadStHockey) November 1, 2019
Matt Niskanen just leveled Jack Hughes behind the Flyers’ net, resulting in a Kyle Palmieri instigator call.
Niskanen hits Hughes and Palmieri jumps in. pic.twitter.com/O1THzp77Nd
— Broad Street Hockey (@BroadStHockey) November 1, 2019
Welcome to the NHL, rook!
New Jersey would control the early part of the second and earn a power play in the process with five minutes spent as Shayne Gostisbehere went off for interference. Strong work from the penalty killers as Carter Hart tracked down the long chance with ease.
The momentum of the kill would carry over as the Flyers would grab the lead as Couturier ramming one past Blackwood to make it 2-1 with just over 10 minutes left in the second.
A good bounce! Couturier puts the Flyers up. pic.twitter.com/QvGiXUVH4V
— Broad Street Hockey (@BroadStHockey) November 2, 2019
The Flyers getting a bounce? In their favor? In this economy?
That lead wouldn’t last long as the Devils would strike back on the power play with Sami Vatanen responding to make it 2-2 with 5:32 left in the middle frame. Travis Sanheim fell down on the play and opened things up for the Devils and Hart couldn’t come up with the save.
Michael Raffl came up with a great chance to break the tie early in the third with a burst of speed and fighting off a defender, but his wrist shot was turned aside by Blackwood despite the superb individual effort.
TK had an even better chance in front off of a beautiful feed from Couturier, but Blackwood was there for the save though the shot did him square in the logo. The Flyers would wish that TK buried that chance.
On the ensuing shift the Devils would take the lead back with a great individual effort from Taylor Hall to make it 3-2 with 10 minutes and change left as he scores while being tackled to the ice. Weird goal, but still counts all the same.
But the Flyers would have an answer, and it would be an NHL first!
Joel Farabee has his first NHL goal (this one counts!) as he beat Blackwood to even things at 3-3 with 8:31 left in the third. Michael Raffl setup the rookie in the slot and the rookie did not miss this chance, scoring a clutch goal for the Flyers.
JOEL FARABEE’S FIRST NHL GOAL! For real this time! pic.twitter.com/TGPmkQjt5m
— Broad Street Hockey (@BroadStHockey) November 2, 2019
The Devils would get the best of the last five minutes, but couldn’t beat Hart once more as we were tied 3-3 after 60.
Farabee nearly ended things in overtime, but using your feet isn’t allowed to score goals in this sport. Rookie has a second career on the pitch though, if the whole hockey thing doesn’t work out.
Giroux got another shot to end things before the shootout with seconds left, but Blackwood made the initial save and the puck bounced out of harms way. Shootout time.
Almost, Ghost. Almost. pic.twitter.com/qnB0akNgT5
— Broad Street Hockey (@BroadStHockey) November 2, 2019
In the shootout the Flyers would get a lone goal from Sean Couturier and oh baby was it ever a beauty as he pulled the “Forsberg” out to beat Blackwood. In the ensuing round Hart stoned Hall to give the Flyers the 4-3 win and the extra point.
The lone goal of the shootout, courtesy of Sean Couturier! pic.twitter.com/d2Ti85l0zX
— Broad Street Hockey (@BroadStHockey) November 2, 2019
Three stars
1. Sean Couturier
He didn’t take many face-offs, which is something to watch, but No. 14 did just about everything else in the win. He scored and added an assist, and put in the clinching goal in the shootout to earn the Flyers a much needed two points.
2. Joel Farabee
His first NHL goal proved to be a huge one as it brought the Flyers even, and gave them a chance to earn at least a point before getting the shootout win. That wasn’t all though, as Farabee buzzed all night and finally gets the breakthrough he deserved.
3. Oskar Lindblom
Another night of dominance from the 23/14/11 line out there as they really took it to the Devils. While this spot could go to TK as well, we’ll give it to the Swede who now leads the Flyers in goal scoring and could have easily potted another goal or two tonight with some other strong scoring chances.
GIF of the night
You done good, kiddo. #PHIvsNJD | #FlyOrDie pic.twitter.com/El4pBP2S1X
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) November 2, 2019
Now that is some wholesome content right there, gang.
