There have been a collection of games in such a short amount of time that all featured overtime hockey for the Philadelphia Flyers. A win in a shootout against the New Jersey Devils, a loss in a shootout against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and tonight’s win against the Montreal Canadiens in overtime makes three out of the last four games decided in extra time. The plan is always to win in regulation and not let the opposition gain a point. Still, a win is a win.
Deadlocked, 2-2, Carter Hart and Carey Price played into the overtime period. The Flyers thirst for theatrics had everyone on edge as they ended up on the right side of history with a Sean Couturier goal, winning 3-2.
Another quality start from Carter Hart allowed the Philadelphia Flyers to stay in this game against the Montreal Canadiens. Hart’s brilliant goaltending was matched by Carey Price in this game. Almost 14 minutes into the first period, the Flyers scored the all-important first goal of the game. It was important to score that first goal because if the Canadiens do, they are almost a lock to win. Philippe Myers made sure that wasn’t the case as he put a shot on net from the blue line and found it’s way past Price.
Quickly into the second period, James van Riemsdyk added the second goal to the Philadelphia Flyers tally. This time, van Riemsdyk was at the crease, ready to clean up any rebound that Cary Price would give up. Claude Giroux took a sharp-angled shot at the net, which bounced away from Price on a rebound. Jakub Voracek missed the second chance opportunity, but van Riemsdyk didn’t. Just under 14 minutes into the second period, Ben Chiarot cut the Flyers lead in half as the Montreal Canadiens trailed, 2-1.
Usually, the Philadelphia Flyers have been the third-period team this season, but that proved to be a backward theory tonight. The Montreal Canadiens played catch up in the third period to get back into the hockey game. A defenseman that the Flyers could have had many years ago on a long-term deal, Shea Weber, scored just over four minutes into the third period. With the game tied, 2-2, all the previous accomplishments were wiped clean. It should be highlighted that Carey Price for the second half of this game played lights out between the pipes.
The love of overtime hockey was in the air as the Philadelphia Flyers went to take the faceoff against the Montreal Canadiens to test their might in the sudden death period. Most of the time, the Flyers overtime trials end in a shootout. Tonight, the fortune was different. Travis Konecny crossed into the Philadelphia offensive zone and dropped the pass back to Sean Couturier. Couturier released a quick shot that looked like it was saved by Carey Price, but slowly snuck behind Price and into the goal.
An Advocate for “Philadelphia” Myers
With the struggles that have come forth of the Philadelphia Flyers defense, the development of Philippe Myers has been one to enjoy. Myers plays the position with finesse for a player his size. An example of that was the shot that he squeezed past Carey Price for the first goal of the night. Myers had the most important goal of the evening credited to him in the first period. Another aspect of his game I like is that he is physical!
If there is one trait that needs to be installed with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms defensemen before they’re recalled to the Philadelphia Flyers, it is the need to be physical. Blocking shots and dishing out hits is the name of the game. Philippe Myers seems to be the next player to pop opponents like Robert Hagg and Matt Niskanen this season.
The Flyers Are Clutch
Some games this season have looked ugly. Other games, the Philadelphia Flyers have run amok on their opponents. Under Alain Vigneault, the Flyers are finding ways to win games that they wouldn’t have last season. Those games are the ones when Philadelphia finds themselves in a shootout or overtime. Picking up just one point isn’t acceptable when you’re leaving another on the board that could be yours.
Having a killer instinct in the overtime periods is a point of emphasis that had to be stressed for years now. Practicing shootout situations is necessary for goaltenders in the NHL because points are won or lost. Instead of gathering five points in the last four games, the Philadelphia Flyers collected seven. That’s the difference between an okay four-game span and a good four-game span.
Carter Hart Crosses One Off the Bucket List
Yes, Carter Hart had competed head-to-head against Carey Price before tonight. Hart will even admit that he “paid too much attention to that” instead of his own game because he was pulled after a bad performance against Price. Tonight, his performance was better because he wasn’t as starstruck by his childhood hero. Good things happen when preparation meets opportunity. Hart slew Price in overtime.
Next, the Philadelphia Flyers are home at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada against the Toronto Maple Leafs. This game takes place on Saturday, November 9th at 7:00 pm. Thank you for reading and be sure to give a follow for more Flyers coverage at EricReesePSN on Twitter and Instagram!
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
