Bill Meltzer’s Flyers blog is powered by Phans of Philly, by Lights On Electric, by New Balance of Mount Laurel, by Cover All Exteriors, by Summit Public Adjusters and our newest sponsors, The Mens and Boys Store and Carl’s Cards and Collectibles.
Rick Tocchet’s Philadelphia Flyers (28-21-11) kept their uphill battle alive in their quest for an Eastern Conference playoff spot. On Monday, Philly took away a 3-2 (2-1) shootout road win over Craig Berube’s foundering Toronto Maple Maple Leafs. Philadelphia has won each of its last three games.
The Boston Bruins were idle on Monday. The Flyers are five points (four standings points plus a tiebreaker disadvantage) behind the Bruins for the lower wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference. Boston holds one game in hand.
On Monday, a two-point game from Noah Cates (1g, 1a) and strong goaltending from Dan Vladar led the way. Christian Dvorak (PPG) notched a first period goal to erase a 1-0 deficit.
After a scoreless overtime, the game came down to a shootout. Vladar stopped two of three attempts. Goals from Matvei Michkov and Trevor Zegras secured the bonus point for Philadelphia.
Vladar stopped 29 of 31 shots in regulation and overtime. Former Flyers netminder Anthony Stolarz made 23 saves on 25 shots, before yielding two goals on three shootout attempts.
Dakota Joshua and William Nylander (PPG) scored regulation goals for Toronto. Nylander had the lone successful shootout try for the Leafs.
The good
- All that matters right now is the bottom line. The Flyers needed two points. They took away two points. Moreover, they did it without the services of top scorer Travis Konecny (day-to-day, upper body injury).
- Cates has played four straight strong goals since the end of the Olympic break. Meanwhile, he’s added four points (2g, 2a).
- The Flyers desperately need production from their centers. Even apart from Cates, they’ve gotten some over the past week. Dvorak had two assists against Boston on Saturday, and a goal on Monday. Sean Couturier ended his 31-game goal drought with an empty netter in the win against Boston. Every little bit helps.
- The Michkov and Zegras shootout goals were both aesthetic and vital.
- Vladar almost always gives the Flyers a fighting chance to win if they can just muster enough offense to support him a little. He did it again on Monday.
- Rasmus Ristolainen (27:14 TOI) has continued to play well since the Olympics. Whether he’s traded by Friday’s deadline remains to be seen. But he’s playing some of the best all-around hockey of his career.
- Jamie Drysdale also remains in a strong groove.
The Bad
- The Flyers lost Nick Seeler to a lower-body injury during the game. He did not return for the third period.
- Philly was their own worst enemy on the first Toronto goal (Seeler turnover) and the tying goal (unnecessary penalty from Denver Barkey, uncontrolled rebound). Meanwhile, Toronto gifted their own share of chance to the Flyers but Philly did not capitalize.
- The Flyers got particularly outplayed in the second period.They left the door open for Toronto to seize the game. Fortunately, the Leafs are in an even worse way lately (and for the season).
The ugly
- Inartistic is a kind way to describe the game play on Monday. Slop-fest is more descriptive. Nevertheless, there are no style points awarded. Just wins and losses. The only real negatives are losing a starting defenseman and missing an opportunity to chip away at the team’s tiebreaker disadvantage.
- 21 Flyers turnovers (17 giveaways charged, four takeaways credited to Toronto).
Postgame media availability
Center Noah Cates
Goaltender Dan Vladar
