Fresh off of a 2-1 win against the Florida Panthers, the Philadelphia Flyers (27-19-6) returned home to begin their first win streak after the All-Star Break. The Winnipeg Jets (30-14-5) didn’t do much to stand in their way.
The Flyers won, 4-1, despite some sloppy play later in the game. Philadelphia controlled the game after the first period but put just seven shots on goal in the second and third periods combined.
Here’s how this game played out:
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Winnipeg Jets
The Flyers outshot the Jets in the first period, 13-5. Ryan Poehling and Tyson Foerster began a rush into the offensive zone. Foerster was fed the puck on the right side of the net and buried his 10th goal of the season, 1-0.
The early excitement didn’t stop for Philadelphia. Travis Konecny dropped the gloves with Neal Pionk. Poehling spoke about Konecny’s willingness to fight in the trenches for his teammates:
“It’s always infectious when your top scorer is going to be able to fight guys. It was pretty cool to see. I know that TK [Konecny] played with some tenacity and whatnot, that it shows he’s a good leader of this team. It’s a good guy to follow”
Ryan Poehling; 2/8/2024
Konecny returned to the more natural part of his game, finding the net for the second time in two games, 2-0. Morgan Frost scored toward the end of the first period, 3-0. When Frost scored, Konecny notched an assist, recording a Gordie Howe hat trick.
After outplaying the Jets in the first period, Winnipeg picked up the pace, controlling the puck in the Flyers’ defensive zone to begin the second period. Sam Ersson made some outstanding saves to maintain the three-goal lead.
Despite outshooting Philadelphia in the second period, 15-3, Ersson didn’t allow any goals, but Poehling did add another. Konecny served a minor penalty for hooking, but Poehling scored shorthanded, 4-0. Ersson was busy but continued to make spectacular saves.
Winnipeg had an early opportunity when Kyle Connor gained control of the puck in the offensive zone. Travis Sanheim intercepted the pass in the back check, with Yegor Zamula splitting the rush. Later, Connor put the Jets on the scoreboard, 4-1, tucking a shot past Ersson. Connor scored after the Flyers failed to score on the two-man advantage and the subsequent five-on-four.
Due to some early offense and solid goaltending by Ersson, who stopped 28 of 29 shots, the Flyers are winners of two in a row.
Powerplay Woes
Neither team managed to score on the powerplay. The Flyers finished 0/4 on the powerplay, while the Jets went 0/3. Both teams sit in the bottom third of the NHL. Winnipeg ranks 25th, and Philadelphia ranks 31st.
On the contrary, the Flyers’ penalty kill showed its teeth again. Philadelphia ranks 2nd, and the Jets, again, rank 25th.
Up Next
Next, the Philadelphia Flyers host the Seattle Kraken at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday at 7pm.
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
