Blues Goals
- None
Flyers Goals
- Brandon Manning (2), assists: Sean Couturier, Claude Giroux
- Claude Giroux (7) (Empty Net) assists: Sean Couturier, Wayne Simmonds
On the second night of a back-to-back, a night where the Flyers were down another big defenseman, the Flyers did something remarkable. Not only did they beat one of the best teams currently in the NHL, they SHUT. THEM. OUT. Wow. Here’s 5 Takeaways from the Flyers big win over the Blues.
5 Takeaways from Blues vs Flyers
- Tonight was a night of rookie defensemen and they stood strong. Experience wise, the Flyers six defensemen played a total of 272 NHL games. Brandon Manning and Ivan Provorov have played 245 of the 272. Oh boy was the initial thought going into this one. Brandon Manning was considered the veteran defenseman, and Ivan Provorov was going to be tired after playing so many minutes. But the rookie defensemen held their own on a night where they needed to just hold on, they end up standing out.
- Speaking of Flyers defensemen doing back things, I think we can all agree that Ivan Provorov is doing some work out on the ice without his partner Andrew MacDonald. Thursday vs the Blues, Provorov played 27:08, went +1, had two shots on goal, and blocked a career high 10 Blues shots. He has been aggressive, dominant, and an absolute stud for the Flyers defense who needs a player to lead the way while the other veterans are out with concussions.
- Hey, the Flyers got a challenge call to go their way! That’s a good thing! After the unsuccessful challenges that cost them the games in Nashville AND Ottawa this season, it’s nice to see a goal go the Flyers way. Brandon Manning’s second goal of the season was originally ruled a no goal when the refs said that Jake Voracek, who had been in front of the net, had interferred with Blues goaltender, Jake Allen. Hakstol and the Flyers coaching staff in a smart move decided to challenge the play. The refs ruled it a good goal after they concluded that a Blue defenseman was the reason that Voracek moved into Allen. It was a break that the Flyers needed and a break that ended up giving them a much needed two points on the road.
- One of the major things from this game has to be the hit laid on Sean Couturier in the second period by ex-Flyer Brayden Schenn. (SCHENNER HOW COULD YOU) It was not a good play on Schenn’s part but it was obvious that he didn’t do it intentionally. Couturier went down on the ice, and did not get up, sending panic signals to just about every Flyers fan who had been watching the game. What would happen if the Flyers lost ANOTHER key player, this time the one that was leading the Flyers in scoring and was off to such an incredible start. Luckily enough for the team, Couturier, after missing the rest of the second, returned to the bench to start the third period. Postgame, he said that he just had the wind knocked out of him, but still went through a concussion protocol. A lucky break for the Flyers.
- This game would not be a two point win for the Flyers without the absolutely stellar performance by Michal Neuvirth. Neuvirth posted his 11th career shutout against the Blues stopping a total of 33 shots. He made some huge and critical saves for the Flyers.
Additional Notes
- Will O’Neill played his NHL debut at 29 years old for the Flyers. He took three shots on goal and had 9:25 time on the ice. He was able to give the other defensemen a little bit of a break on the ice when they needed it.
- Radko Gudas missed Thursday’s game against the Blues with an upper body injury. It is unknown whether he or Shayne Gostisbehere (who missed his third straight) will play at home on Saturday vs. the Colorado Avalanche.
- Brayden Schenn, probably now hated former Flyer, logged two shots on goal, went -1, had two penalty minutes for interference on Sean Couturier and was on the ice for 20:08.
Star of the Game
It’s Neuvy. Plain and simple. I expect him to get the start on Saturday.
Flub of the Game
I don’t have a flub of the game in this one, unless you want to call the referee’s two minute interference penalty call a flub. It’s controversial. But nevertheless, it is still a dirty hit on Couturier, and it has led to way more concussions. The NHL needs to start cracking down on it.
The Flyers return to the friendly confines of the Wells Fargo Center for three games starting Saturday with the Colorado Avalanche.
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