Flyers unload on Panthers 6-3; win season series

The Philadelphia Flyers took to their home ice, hosting the Florida Panthers to secure the season series. By a final score of 6-3, the Flyers came out on top to win the 2022-2023 best-of-three-season series. In the last three games, the Flyers are 2-0-1, securing five points.

Matthew Tkachuk put the Panthers on the scoreboard with the first shot on goal just over one minute into the first period. Positioning between Cam York and Ivan Provorov, Carter Verhaeghe slipped a slap pass to Tkachuk for the lead, 1-0.

Soon after, the Flyers answered. Joel Farabee continued his hot streak, tying the game a few minutes after Tkachuk set a lead. Egor Zamula dished a pass to Noah Cates who shot on goal, deflecting off of Farabee for the equalizer, 1-1. Lately, Farabee is finding his footing, gaining confidence to overcome the mental aspect of playing in the NHL after neck surgery in the offseason.

“The guys I’m playing with, Catesy and Tip; you know Tip’s going to shoot it. They had a really good cycle going on that one. I just got lucky; it hit me in the pants and went in. We grinded them out, and if you do that over time, you’re going to get some bounces.”
Joel Farabee; 3/21/2023

Near the midway point of the second period, Travis Sanheim gave the Flyers a lead, 2-1. Morgan Frost kept the puck in the offensive zone due to an effective backcheck, and Brendan Lemieux found a seam to Sanheim for the finish. The Flyers weren’t flat in the second, getting physical with the Panthers all over the ice. They came out of the locker room playing the right way and were rewarded.

“That’s a big part of my game; contributing and joining offensively. In the past, I’ve been getting goals like I got tonight, right around the net.”
Travis Sanheim; 3/21/2023

Brandon Montour added to his career season, tying the game. Aleksander Barkov fed a pass from behind the net, and the puck slipped past Hart on the nearside post, 2-2. It was the most extended offensive zone possession from the Panthers in the second period.

In 2:01, the Flyers went on a three-goal spree. Scott Laughton broke the tie, in all alone on Alex Lyon, after Tony DeAngelo flipped a pass to spring a breakaway, 3-2. Then, Sanheim scored his second of the game, cleaning up a rebound after Cates’ effort to score on Lyon, 4-2. Lastly, Provorov finished the three-goal run after Frost located him cutting toward the crease with speed, finishing with a backhand; 5-2.

“I was just trying to play my game. If you’re playing good, points is coming, but sometimes I got second apples. It’s a lucky point. I passed to Tony and Tony [made] an unbelievable pass to Laughts, and Laughts scores.
Egor Zamula; 3/21/2023

Sam Reinhart cut the deficit to 5-3, causing the Flyers to finish 3/4 on the penalty kill. Lyon went to the bench for a six-on-four powerplay, resulting in a converted chance. The Panthers had a five-on-three advantage, but Hart stood tall. The penalty kill was one second away from killing both penalties, but Reinhart made his mark.

Before the final horn, Frost scored an empty-net goal to add to the Flyers’ lead, resulting in a 6-3 final score.

Carter Hart (+)

In October, Hart made 48 saves in the first Flyers victory versus the Panthers at the Wells Fargo Center this season. He saved 41/44 shots on goal tonight. Heavily outshot by the opponent, Hart provided much-needed stability, helping his team to victory.

“We’re giving up too many chances on the powerplay. That’s where they rack up their shots, although we had a huge kill; I know they score with one second left. To get out of that two-man with just one goal, and not them scoring earlier and they still have a powerplay was really important. Carter made some terrific saves with the penalty kill, and then we answered.”
John Tortorella; 3/21/2023

Egor Zamula (+)

Recalled yesterday, Zamula shined in his return to the Flyers lineup. His last NHL game was December 1st, 2022, a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tortorella stated management wanted another look at Zamula before he returns to the AHL on Sunday. Tonight, he notched two assists.

“The younger guys are being put in many more positions to see what they can do. Z, I’m not sure how his assists come about, but just watching his game, he had some really good puck poise.”
John Tortorella; 3/21/2023

Travis Sanheim (+)

Inconsistent in 2022-2023, Sanheim dipped in performance after receiving the Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy and Barry Ashbee Trophy from the team in 2021-2022. Tonight, he showed glimpses of what we saw a season ago. Sanheim played a thorough, consistent game, joining in the offensive zone.

“Sanny, the past couple of games; more the third period of the last game, and he brought it in to tonight, was more aggressive up the ice.”
John Tortorella; 3/21/2023