In three games, Joel Farabee has been simply amazing for the Flyers! He has scored two points (1G, 1A) in every game so far. He has a presence about him on the ice that head coach Alain Vigneault would describe as noticeable. The FAB line of Farabee, Cam Atkinson, and Derick Brassard has been the Flyer’s best line and are a threat to score every time they are on the ice, with young Beezer is leading the way.
There is definitely a different aura about Farabee at the start of this season. He looks stronger, more confident, and has brought more physicality to his game. I remember two years ago, Beezer had that “holy crap, I’m in the NHL,” look about him. Teams would test him by playing him physically. Call it a right of passage, but Farabee took it in stride. This year he seems to be a different player. Only three games in, I like what I see in the young winger.
Farabee shines in a not-so-great game
In the opening game of the season, Farabee and the FAB line were fantastic. Farabee got the season off right scoring on a one-timer on the powerplay. This was a significant goal as it continued the momentum generated by leading the Flyers in goals last season.
It is also a significant goal because the Flyers scored just off of their first powerplay of the season. A powerplay that has been consistently average overage over the past few years. Although the goal was not a powerplay goal, it was set up on the powerplay. The shot from Beezer announced that his 20-goal campaign last season was no fluke!
Farabee followed up his opening goal with an assist on Atkinson’s first as a Flyer. If it wasn’t for a disastrous second period, the Flyers may have beaten the Canucks. However, it wasn’t to be, dropping the opener in overtime.
Offense Stays Hot
In the second game of the campaign, the Flyers’ offense was again on fire. Welcoming back their old head coach in Dave Hakstol. Beezer and his teammates were up for the task and crushed the Kraken. The FAB line helped pave the way, registering four points. Farabee scored his second in as many games, and he assisted on Ryan Ellis’ first goal as a Flyer.
Bring on the Bruins
Farabee and the FAB line continued their scorching start as the Flyers hosted the Bruins. Atkinson started the scoring early in the first. After the Bruins tied the game up, Farabee missed a shorthanded opportunity on an incredibly skilled move. Beezer then capitalized on his second powerplay goal of the season.
Farabee surely has upped his game. Although last season he jumped out to four points in the first game, it wasn’t until the tenth game of the season that Farabee scored his third goal. He also registered his sixth point that same game, when he scored a hat-trick against the New York Islanders.
In his third season thus far, Farabee has found consistent scoring. He and the FAB line have given the Flyers that much-needed scoring threat from the second line. Farabee and the second powerplay unit scored one of the Flyers’ three powerplay goals. According to Atkinson, he and Farabee have just started building their chemistry.
The FAB line may be the best valued second line in the NHL at the moment at a combined $7.625 million AAV. Speaking of values, the Flyers’ top three scorers, Farabee, Brassard, and Keith Yandle, SONK, have a combined AAV of 1.907 million AAV.
The Flyers have another test this Saturday and the talented Florida Panthers come to visit. I expect the FAB line to continue to play at a high level and drive the Flyers’ offense. Farabee will continue to progress into an NHL star.
(Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire
