After a Nick Cousins goal on the Coyotes 1st attempt in the shootout, Brian Elliott stepped back into his crease to face Clayton Keller.
Keller came in with speed and Elliott made the save. However, as Keller finished his shot, his stick got caught in Elliott’s right pad. It sent him awkwardly into the net.
Brian Elliott's injury during the shootout. pic.twitter.com/xOmlOotlm2
— Broad Street Hockey (@BroadStHockey) February 11, 2018
The reaction from Elliott said it all as he did not get up quickly. Flyers trainer Jim Mccrossin was sent out to check on Elliott. And, the news wasn’t good.
Elliott was helped to the locker room and a cold Michal Neuvirth was put in to finish the shootout.
Neuvirth got lucky on the first shot. Coyotes Brendan Perlini whiffed on his shot. But, that was just the beginning. Neuvirth went on to make the next 5 saves to propel the Flyers to victory.
Here are 4 more observations from the Flyers 4-3 shootout win over the Coyotes…
Power-Play On Fire
After an 0 for 11 stretch, the Flyers power-play is on fire. The Flyers power-play is now 4 for their last 6 opportunities. Including 2 more goals tonight.
On the Flyers 2nd power-play of the night, Claude Giroux put home a one-timer off a great cross-ice feed from Jake Voracek.
Voracek to Giroux ?? pic.twitter.com/qI21pikuwG
— Flyers Nation (@FlyersNation) February 11, 2018
On the Flyers 4th power-play, Wayne Simmonds deflected home a Shayne Gostisbehere shot for the goal.
A shot to the front of the net that's redirected in by Simmonds in his office! pic.twitter.com/fvwexNQoit
— Sons of Penn (@SonsofPenn) February 11, 2018
After a rough stretch earlier in the season, 0 for 13 and no goals in 4 straight games, the Flyers power-play has been a lot better. They are 8 for 26. (30.8%)
One thing they are doing extremely better is getting shots through on net.
Elliott Goes Down
During the shootout, the Flyers may have lost goalie Brian Elliott to injury. Clayton Keller, after he shot the puck, made accidental contact with Elliott.
Elliott, who missed time before the all-star break with a lower-body injury, may have re-injured the injury he had. Nothing was clear as to what the injury could be.
However, he did get up slow and could hardly put any weight on his right leg. The point of contact where Keller sticks hit.
Per GM Ron Hextall, Brian Elliott has a lower-body injury. There will be an update when the team returns to Philadelphia.
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 11, 2018
Expect Alex Lyon to be on a plane bright and early tomorrow to meet the team in Vegas for tomorrow nights showdown.
Patrick Wins It
After Jake Voracek tied the shootout on the Flyers last chance, the Flyers would have multiple opportunities to win the game.
First, it was Claude Giroux. The puck rolled off Giroux’s stick on a great deke. Second, it was Sean Couturier. Couturier shot it right into Raanta. Third, it was Michael Raffl. Raffl shot it right into Raanta.
Then, it was Nolan Patrick’s turn. Patrick fired a shot high glove past Raanta to put the game away.
NOLAN PATRICK SCORES IN THE SHOOTOUT!
FLYERS WIN! pic.twitter.com/7HIDMgSVga
— Broad Street Hockey (@BroadStHockey) February 11, 2018
With the win, it was the Flyers first shootout victory this season. They are now 1-4 in shootouts this season.
To The Sin City They Go
With only yet to play one team, the Flyers will open up their career series with the Vegas Golden Knights tomorrow night in Las Vegas. However, the Flyers will be doing it without their #1 goalie.
Elliott left the game during the shootout with a lower-body injury. But, the plan seemed all along to start Michal Neuvirth in Vegas against the leagues 2nd best team.
A move that is kind of shocking. However, Vegas is a fast team and Neuvirth is the more flexible goaltender.
Result : Flyers 4 – Coyotes 3, WIN (SO)
Record : 27 – 19 – 9
Next Game : 2/11 Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas NV, NBCSports Philadelphia 8:00pm
Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
