Just 4:02 into his 28th career game, Travis Sanheim accomplished the one thing he has yet to do in his rookie season. Sanheim scored his 1st NHL goal.
“Obviously, it was a long time coming, but it’s exciting to get my first one.” Sanheim said.
A great poke check by Jordan Weal, led to Dale Weise finding the the puck and feeding Sanheim in the high slot for the goal.
You never forget your first 🙃 #BUFvsPHI pic.twitter.com/gqCIHScPYy
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) December 15, 2017
Even though Weal set up the goal by his poke check, it was Sanheim’s defensive play in his own zone about 15 seconds prior that gave him the chance in the first place.
After the Sabres scored the games first goal off of a Brian Elliott blunder behind the net, Sanheim bailed him out this time. He dove back to block the Buffalo player from finishing on the second Elliott blunder.
This goal has been a long time in the making for Sanheim. He has had countless posts, crossbars, and missed opportunities in his first 27 games. But, he got this one to go for the first of his career. One goal he will never forget.
Sanheim gets the robe. pic.twitter.com/Omvcj3AWMG
— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) December 15, 2017
Here are 4 more observations from the Flyers 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres…
Elliott Scorching Hot
Coming into last night’s matchup with the Sabres, the Flyers weren’t the only ones with a win streak on the line. Brian Elliott, who is one of the hottest goalies in the league at the moment, was also riding a 4-game win streak. Elliott, who started his 6th straight game last night, is just one of the reasons why the Flyers were on 4-game win streak.
“I think it looks calmer because we’re not making those turn overs, we’re getting pucks out of our end and into theirs.” Elliott said. “I think we’re just working a little smarter. That probably comes across as calm out there.”
After being named the NHL’s 3rd star of the week last week, Elliott has continued his excellent play into this week with 2 more wins. Including, stopping 19 of 20 tonight for his 5th straight win. If it wasn’t for Elliott’s blunder in the 1st, he would have had the shutout.
“They came hard, and a little miscommunication, bad play on my part.” Elliott said. “That can go sideways in a hurry, but we sorted that out.”
Brian Elliott misplays the puck and it's 1-0 Buffalo. pic.twitter.com/6Cepe5Hq0y
— Sons of Penn (@SonsofPenn) December 15, 2017
Win Streak Now 5
After losing 10 straight, the fans calling were for both Coach Dave Hakstol’s and GM Ron Hextall’s heads. However, the Flyers have turned it around in a big way with this 5-game winning streak. Since the Flyers put forth that god awful effort against the Boston Bruins 2 weeks ago, the Flyers have been on a tear.
“I don’t think it was our best game today, but it’s good, sometimes you have to be able to win these types of games and I think that’s a good sign.” Filppula said.
Before the losing streak, the Flyers were 8-6-2, sitting pretty in a playoff spot, and were focused on the finish to a tough western conference heavy led opening to the season. However, everything doesn’t go your way sometimes and the Flyers lost 10 straight, dropping them to last in the Metro Division and a 8-11-7 record.
But, since that Saturday 3-0 shutout loss at home to the Bruins, the Flyers have yet to lose. This 5-game win streak has revived the Flyers their season and their playoffs hopes. They leave Buffalo after the 2-1 victory with a 13-11-7 record and just 2 points out of the playoffs.
The New Honey Bees?
After a foolish nickname caught on, the “Honey Bee” line has been title for the Flyers 4th line. The name coming from the color of their training jerseys. But, when the team went south and lost 10 straight, Coach Dave Hakstol broke up the line, along with the whole lineup, and tried something new.
First, it was Jordan Weal, who filled the vacated spot by Michael Raffl. They were together for the 3-game Western Canada road trip. They had a good trip. After the trip, Flyers fans thought they found a replacement on for Raffl on the “Honey Bee” line.
However, Coach Dave Hakstol saw an opportunity. The opportunity was for a struggling Flyer to take advantage of a slower Toronto Maple Leafs line. On Tuesday, Hakstol switched Travis Konecny and Jordan Weal because he saw a match-up advantage for the Flyers.
“I think Laughts, Leiersy, and TK played very well tonight. Again, you guys can label them whatever you want. They’re just one of our lines. We thought that line combination made sense with the speed and pace that all three of those guys play at.” Coach Dave Hakstol said after Tuesday’s win.
Now, after another strong performance in just their second game together, could the Flyers have a new “Honey Bee” line?
Lineup Balance
Ever since the Flyers went to Western Canada, nothing has been the same. Well, let me rephrase that. The Flyers have ridded themselves of the old and not working & welcomed in the new and balanced lineup. Before the Flyers went west, the lineup was led by one line and one line only, Giroux-Couturier-Voracek. Now, the Flyers are getting scoring from everywhere.
During the Flyers 10-game losing streak, they went a 2-week period where no forward scored other than Giroux, Couturier, or Voracek. Now, the Flyers have scoring from every line in the lineup. The decision to break-up, probably the league’s most powerful line, has saved the Flyers season and Coach Dave Hasktol’s job.
“We made a switch on a couple of the lines.” Coach Dave Hakstol said. “We switched and moved a couple of wingers from our previous line-up. I think guys are comfortable with each other and I think there is a familiarity there.”
Result : Flyers 2 – Sabres 1, WIN
Record : 13 – 11 – 7
Next Game : 12/16 Dallas Stars, Philadelphia PA, 7:00pm
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
