Instant analysis: Flyers victorious in Petr Mrazek’s debut, extend point streak to 10 games

FEBRUARY 22, 2018 – FLYERS vs BLUE JACKETS

Philadelphia Flyers

Claude Giroux – Sean Couturier – Michael Raffl

Jordan Weal – Nolan Patrick – Jakub Voracek

Oskar Lindblom – Scott Laughton – Taylor Leier

Jori Lehtera – Valtteri Filppula – Dale Weise

Ivan Provorov – Shayne Gostisbehere

Robert Hagg – Andrew MacDonald

Brandon Manning – Radko Gudas

Petr Mrazek

Alex Lyon

Columbus Blue Jackets

Artemi Panarin – Pierre-Luc Dubois – Cam Atkinson

Boone Jenner – Alexander Wennberg – Oliver Bjorkstrand

Matt Clavert – Brandon Dubinsky – Josh Anderson

Nathan Gerbe – Lukas Sedlak – Zac Dalpe

Zach Werenski – Seth Jones

Jack Johnson – Ryan Murray

Scott Harrington – David Savard

Sergei Bobrovsky

Joonas Korpisalo

1st Period Notes:
Cam Atkinson is sent to the box just 30 seconds into the 1st. Flyers can’t solidify possession on the man advantage and head back to even strength. Mrazek makes a big save immediately following the PP for his first as a Flyer. Welcome to Philly!

Giroux gets a beautiful breakaway chance after intercepting a Dubois chance but can’t convert. Just under 13 remaining in the 1st.

Jack Johnson catches Jake Voracek up high with his stick and the Flyers head back to the PP. The first unit gets a few great chances but can’t solve Bobrovsky. A much better showing than their first opportunity but they head back to even strength.

Jordan Weal puts the Flyers on the Pk for the first time since February 13th but the Flyers shut the door on the CBJ’s league worst PP unit. Still tied at 0.

Mrazek hasn’t faced too much opposition throughout his first period in Philadelphia but has looked strong and confident in the limited chances he’s faced.

SCORING

NONE

PENALTIES

(0:30) CBJ: Cam Atkinson (Hooking)

(11:55) CBJ: Jack Johnson (High-Sticking)

(14:41) PHI: Jordan Weal (Interference)

SHOTS

PHI 7

CBJ 2

SCORE: TIED 0-0

2nd Period Notes:
Mrazek robs Cam Atkinson early in the 2nd period. Looks extremely comfortable.

Scott Laughton get the Flyers their first shot of the 2nd just over 7 minutes in. CBJ flipping the script a bit but Mrazek is up to the task.

Just over 8 and a half minutes into the second, Sean Couturier takes a tripping penalty and sends CBJ to their second PP of the game. Flyers do a good job of shutting down the Blue Jackets’ chances and escape the powerplay still tied at 0. Sean Couturier is hit with a beautiful diving pass as he leaves the box but the play is blown dead to the confusion of everyone on the ice.

CBJ ends up shorthanded in the confusion for too many men on the ice even though Philadelphia had possession of the puck. Blue Jackets get a good chance after Giroux whiffs on the puck in the offensive zone but Mrazek stands tall. The powerplay ends with neither goalie being solved to this point.

Provorov turns the puck over on a bit of poor decision making. Panarin intercepts the puck just after leaving the penalty box and walks in uncontested for an easy shot past Mrazek. 1-0 CBJ.

Flyers head to the PP after Dubois catches MacDonald up high with an elbow. Flyers finally manage their 2nd shot of the period during the powerplay. Blue Jackets get another great shorthanded chance and Mrazek somehow keeps the puck out of the net.

Sloppy play overall from the Flyers throughout the second. Period ends 1-0, thanks in large part to the stellar play of Petr Mrazek.

SCORING

(12:51) CBJ: Artemi Panarin (Unassisted)

PENALTIES

(8:33) PHI: Sean Couturier (Tripping)

(10:41) CBJ: Too Many Men (Served by Panarin)

(16:12) CBJ: Pierre-Luc Dubois (Elbowing)

SHOTS

PHI 4 (11)

CBJ 14 (16)

SCORE: COLUMBUS 1-0

3rd Period Notes:
Claude Giroux finally solves Bobrovsky just over 2 minutes into the 3rd. Hakstol has juggled the lines a bit to start the period and it looks to have a lit a fire under his team early.

Mrazek continues to stand on his head through the first 10 minutes of the period, repeatedly bailing his new team out of high danger situations. Flyers have to clean up their play if they want to escape this one with a win.

Dubinsky hits Giroux with a cheap knee-to-knee shot and Giroux collapses but pops back up to his feet quickly. Nolan Patrick makes quick work of the PP and pots the rebound off a Gostisbehere shot. Instant karma for Dubinsky.

Flyers have taken control following the Patrick goal. Making cleaner passes and shooting everything they touch.

Brandon Manning heads down the tunnel with just under 3 minutes remaining after taking an awkward hit into the boards and then blocking a shot immediately after. Clutching his shoulder.

Bobrovsky heads to the bench for the extra attacker. Both Voracek and Filppula have multiple chances to pot the empty netter but elect to pass to one another instead. Flyers survive the closing minutes and win this one 2-1.

SCORING

(2:34) PHI: Claude Giroux (Couturier, Gostisbehere)

(9:49) PHI: Nolan Patrick (Gostisbehere, Giroux)

PENALTIES

(9:43) CBJ: Brandon Dubinsky (Tripping)

SHOTS

PHI 9 (20)

CBJ 4 (20)