Over the past four games, the Philadelphia Flyers have successfully trodden water. Each of their last four games went into overtime or a shootout. They’re 2-0-2 in this stretch.
Similarly, the Los Angeles Kings went to overtime on Thursday. They defeated the Vancouver Canucks.
Martin Jones gets the start for the Flyers. Across from him will be Jonathan Quick. Quick is the second most dominant goaltender of all time when facing Philadelphia. Ahead of him: Jacques Plante.
Did the points streak continue, or did the Kings take the crown?
First Period
Don’t blink, or you’ll miss the first goal. Viktor Arvidsson was the recipient of a smooth exchange behind the net. Ivan Provorov and Justin Braun couldn’t make the defensive swap, allowing Arvidsson to slip in on a wrap-around. In twelve seconds, the Los Angeles Kings led, 1-0.
“I think it was the least dangerous play that could have happened, but the puck went in. You’re not going to put two [defensemen] chasing behind the net. Sometimes in games, the puck finds it’s way into the net and it’s no one’s fault.”
Ivan Provorov; 1/2/2022
Surrendering a goal in twelve seconds could have taken the life out of the Philadelphia Flyers, but it didn’t. Zack MacEwen and Patrick Brown, the most energetic forwards on the ice for three periods, did their best to keep their team in the game.
Jonathan Quick denied the Flyers on a top-tier scoring opportunity. Cam Atkinson took a penalty shot. Sprawling to make the save, Quick left a leg extended and swiped his glove, sealing any room for Atkinson to lift the puck. It was the save of the evening. Quick was as advertised.
Soon after the save on Atkinson, Joel Farabee dunked a rebound to tie the score, 1-1. Trevor Moore answered, poking a rebound past Jones following a scoring chance similar to Arvidsson earlier in the period. Unfortunately, the rest of the period wasn’t any prettier.
Up, 2-1, the Kings began the second period with a five-on-three advantage.
Second Period
Again, don’t blink. The Los Angeles Kings began with a two-man advantage. Patrick Brown broke his stick while blocking a shot, inadvertently increasing the Kings’ powerplay odds. Adrian Kempe let loose on a one-timer. Travis Konecny and Rasmus Ristolainen left the penalty box simultaneously after officials determined Kempe scored after Konecny’s penalty expired.
“You look at the game and I just thought we gave them a lot. You got to try to have some momentum going into the period. To put ourselves down, five-on-three, that’s pretty tough.”
Mike Yeo; 1/2/2022
Joel Farabee was a lot of fun to watch. He won neutral zone battles and put pressure on Jonathan Quick.
“The score didn’t really show, I think, what we did out there.”
Joel Farabee 1/2/2022
Unfortunately, Brendan Lemieux muscled past Kevin Connauton to close in on Martin Jones. It was the low point of the evening. Lemieux made a good play, dangling Jones. Perhaps more offensive than allowing four goals is allowing Lemieux to score a goal.
Wrapping up the second period, Los Angeles led 4-1.
Third Period
Travis Konecny spent too much time in the penalty box. His earlier penalty allowed a powerplay goal. Early in the third period, he received a ten-minute misconduct penalty. What bailed Konecny out was Blake Lizotte, who committed a minor penalty.
Mike Yeo called a timeout and crafted a grand scheme. In the offensive zone, Yeo pulled Martin Jones, adding Kevin Hayes. The Philadelphia Flyers went from a five-on-three powerplay to a six-on-three advantage. Hayes promptly skated to his spot and uncorked a one-timer beyond Jonathan Quick. Cutting the deficit to two goals took great creativity and intestinal fortitude from Yeo, who’s been pretty solid as interim head coach.
Zack MacEwen and Patrick Brown had a few hacks at the puck on the crease but couldn’t connect. They almost collected on their consistent effort.
Phillip Danault added another goal, splitting Kevin Connauton on a one-timer. Ivan Provorov sank a slapshot from the blue line, but the Flyers couldn’t complete the comeback. Viktor Arvidsson put the nightcap on the scoring he started, converting against an empty net.
The final score saw the Los Angeles Kings defeat Philadelphia, 6-3.
Up Next
Next, the Philadelphia Flyers visit the Anaheim Ducks. Faceoff is this Tuesday at 10pm.
(Photo Credit: Alex McIntyre)
