The Flyers Will Not Go Quietly Into The Night, 3-Points Out Of Playoff Spot

The Philadelphia Flyers beat the Ottawa Senators, 3-2, Monday night at the Wells Fargo Center. After being down 1-0 after the 1st period, the Flyers roared back with 3 goals in the 2nd period to propel them to victory.




The three goal 2nd period started with Oscar Lindblom tipping home a Gostisbehere shot off of Couturiers leg . Then, Nolan Patrick stole the puck away from a tired Senator to feed Raffl for the easy tip in. And, with 37 seconds left in the period, Scott Laughton ripped one by Anderson to cap off the period.

 

Brian Elliott would stop 20 of the 22 shots he faced to earn the victory. With the win and a Blue Jackets loss, the Flyers are now with-in 3 points of the final playoff spot with 13 games remaining.

 

Here are 4 more observations from the Flyers 3-2 win over the Senators…




2nd Period Revival

After a dreadful 1st period, the Flyers hit the ice in the 2nd down 1-0. Being outshot 5-1 with 10 minutes left in the 1st, the Flyers started to come back. Outshooting the Senators 9-1 over the final 10 minutes of the 1st period. But, no goals to account for their efforts.

 

However, that would change in the 2nd period. Goals by Oscar Lindblom, Michael Raffl, and Scott Laughton would give the Flyers a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes.

 

The bounces haven’t been going the Flyers way recently. But, a Gostisbehere shot from the point hit Couturier in the leg and somehow had enough juice on it to hit Lindblom’s stick for the goal.Β Then, a tremendous forecheck by Nolan Patrick fed Raffl for the easy tip-in. And, Scott Laughton would score on a 4v2 rush with just 37 seconds left in the 2nd.

 

A team that has battled all year long to get to this point, will not go away quietly. The Flyers just keep fighting and crawling their way back into games and back into the playoff race.




Dont Look Now, But The Playoffs Are Within Reach

The date was January 12th. The Flyers just lost to the New Devils and sat last in the NHL. After starting the Scott Gordon era with a 3-1-0 record, the Devils loss would be the Flyers 9th loss in their last 10 games.

 

However, a potential record breaking comeback to the playoffs would start. Since that Devils loss, the Flyers are one of the top three hottest teams in the NHL since that date. Beating some of the best teams in the NHL.

 

Since the Devils loss, the Flyers are 18-4-2 with the win tonight against the Senators. And, now, after sitting in last on January 14th, are now just 3 points out of a playoff spot.

 

A roller-coaster, organizational changing season still might have a good ending too it. Can you imagine this team, after what they have been through, playing playoff hockey? That imagination might become a reality very soon.




Another Confusing Decision By NHL

During Saturday nights game against the Islanders, Jake Voracek was involved in a questionable play. Voracek tried to protect himself against a potential hit from behind by Islanders Johnny Boychuk. Here is the play…

 

 

Voracek was issued a major penalty for protecting himself from a potentially dangerous check from behind. Jake didn’t leave his feet, make an effort to hit Boychuk’s head, and uses his body to protect himself.

 

Unfortunately, the NHL Department of Safety saw it in the complete opposite way and suspended Voracek 2-games for the situation. Saying Voracek made direct head contact with Boychuk and used his back as a “weapon” to injury Boychuk.

 

Just over a month ago, Penguins forward, Evgeni Malkin, tried to take Flyers Michael Raffl’s head off by swinging his stick like a baseball bat at his head. Malkin misses and so did the NHL by only suspending him 1-game. Another puzzling move by the NHL Department of Safety that goes against the Flyers.




Flyers Entering Make It Or Break It Stretch

Over the next two weeks, we will learn the fate of the Flyers season. With two days off until their next game, the Flyers will need to rest up for the brutal stretch ahead. When the Flyers return to action on Thursday, it will start a stretch of 7 games in 11 days.

 

During those 11 days, the Flyers will play 6 playoff teams. The only team not, Chicago Blackhawks, are in a playoff race of their own and won’t be ease either.Β To start the stretch, the Flyers will play 5 games in 8 days starting on Thursday against the Capitals.

 

If you want to compare the streak to something. Compare it to the 1st round of the playoffs because the Flyers are in a dog-fight to try and make the playoffs after being in last place to start 2019.




Result –Β Flyers 3 – Senators 2, WIN

Record –Β 34 – 27 – 8

Next Game – 3/14 Washington Capitals, Philadelphia PA, NBCSports Philadelphia 7:00pm



By Brandon Sommermann | March 11, 2019