Postgame Analysis: Flyers beat Ducks 3-2 in OT

Ducks Goals

• Antoine Vermitte (1), assists: Ondrej Kase, Josh Manson
• Cam Fowler (1)(Shorthanded), unassisted

Flyers Goals

• Ivan Provorov (1), assists: Nolan Patrick, Jordan Weal
• Sean Couturier (1), assists: Jake Voracek, Claude Giroux
• Wayne Simmonds (4), assists: Sean Couturier, Ivan Provorov

5 Takeaways from Flyers vs. Ducks

• New Flyers’ lines debuted in this one with Valtterri Filppula switching to center on the second line with Wayne Simmonds and Jordan Weal, while Nolan Patrick moved to the third line with Travis Konecny and Dale Weise. It was interesting that Hakstol decided to make this move after just three games into the season, however, the third line produced pretty with Patrick gaining an assist.
• Speaking of Nolan Patrick, he picked up his first NHL point on Saturday night with an assist on Ivan Provorov’s goal in the first period. He also had some great opportunities on net, including a great shot in the first few minutes of the game with the pass from Travis Konecny. The vision this kid has though is incredible. I’m not even sure how he’s able to get some of his passes off but he finds a way. He’s done really well in the first three games of the season and I cannot wait to see him progress as the season goes on.
• Sean Couturier’s goal to give the Flyers the lead in the second period, really showed how the first line is progressing. It started on a beautiful pass from Giroux to Voracek and Voracek was able to stop in front of the net and draw in the defenders, which allowed Couturier to net the easy goal. It just looked easy for them and I hope it continues as they go throughout the season.
• The Flyers’ power play looked messy Saturday night. They went 0-for-5 and allowed the shorthanded goal from Cam Fowler, which was a slapshot easily past Elliott. There just wasn’t a lot of production coming on the power play.
• I was actually surprised that Wayne Simmonds, Ivan Provorov, and Sean Couturier started the overtime period instead of the Giroux, Voracek, Ghost combo that I’ve been so used to seeing in games. It was a nice change of pace and it actually worked as they scored less than a minute into the overtime period. The pass from Couturier to Simmonds for the OT goal was a good one.

Player of the Game

I’m going with Sean Couturier. After the past two games of shooting on net and not getting any goals, that changed on Saturday night. He also got an assist on the overtime goal. Couturier has shown that he is comfortable on the top line with Giroux and Voracek, and now he may just finally be getting the hang of the whole scoring thing for the season. But we shall see.

Flub of the Game

Cam Fowler’s shorthanded goal in the third period to tie the game up at 2-2 and sending it into overtime.

Former Fly Guys

• Brayden Schenn had two assists and shot twice on goal in the Blues’ win over the Stars on Saturday.
• Pierre Edouard Bellemare had two shots on goal in the Golden Knights’ win over the Coyotes.
• Nick Cousins had three shots on goal in the Coyotes’ loss to the Golden Knights.
• Steve Mason faced 45 Flames’ shots and let up six goals in the Jets’ loss to Calgary.
• Michael Del Zotto was a -1 with a shot on goal in the Canucks’ win over the Oilers.

Additional NHL Notes

• Hey! Las Vegas is undefeated you guys. I was actually able to catch some of the Golden Knights vs. Stars game on Friday and I keep forgetting how good Marc Andre Fleury is. It’s a shame Pittsburgh gave him up for Matt Murray and Antti Niemi, huh? (It’s really not. Go Golden Knights.)

After going 2-1 on their California swing, the Flyers now head out to take on the Western Conference Champions, Nashville Predators. It’s their home opener on Tuesday and they’re a little desperate after going 0-2-0 on their road trip to start the season. Plus who doesn’t love some PK Subban? See you Tuesday!