The Philadelphia Flyers looked like their early-season selves, playing a top-tier opponent tough all night long. Unfortunately, they could not withstand their old nemesis – the shootout.
The Flyers took 1-0 and 2-1 leads but could not hold off the Los Angeles Kings, as they fell by a score of 3-2 via a shootout. Steve Mason made 38 saves yet was unable to stop Anzi Kopitar in the skills competition, as he beat the Philadelphia goaltender high glove side to give the Kings the win.
Shayne Gostisbehere electrified the Wells Fargo Center crowd early, blasting a slapshot by Kings goalie Jonathan Quick for a power play goal – his first in the NHL. But Los Angeles would respond with a power play goal of their own before the first period ended, as Jamie McBain took advantage of a screen in front to beat Mason and tie the score at one.
The Kings came out strong to begin the second period, pinning the Flyers deep in their own zone via dominance on the cycle. But Philadelphia slowly played themselves back into the game, as Mason kept Los Angeles at bay. Brayden Schenn actually was able to beat Quick midway through the period, but the goal was overturned as video review deemed there to be a distinct kicking motion on the part of Schenn.
The no-goal call failed to dissuade Philadelphia. Ramping up the offensive zone pressure, they drew two penalties before the conclusion of the second period, and peppered Quick with shots on the ensuing power plays. But Quick was up to the task, keeping the score tied through forty minutes of play.
Claude Giroux looked like the hero after he found an opening in the slot and ripped a Jakub Voracek pass into the net, giving the Flyers a 2-1 lead with nine minutes remaining. And it appeared that the lead would hold, as Steve Mason made save after save against furious Los Angeles pressure. But the Kings finally broke through after Jonathan Quick was removed for an extra attacker, as Milan Lucic hammered home a loose puck in the crease to send the game to three-on-three overtime.
Somehow, the two teams made it through the overtime, though it wasn’t for lack of excitement. The 3v3 extra session was predictably breakneck, as both Mason and Quick bailed out their teams repeatedly throughout the overtime. Claude Giroux had maybe the best chance, as he stormed in on a breakaway only to be stymied by Quick, who pokechecked the puck away before he could even take a shot. That set up the dreaded shootout, and another loss for the Flyers.
Comment of the Night
It really seems like all that time in pressbox last year Hexy was pointing at Amac and telling Ghost to do exact opposite when defending and it shows.
>> David
