They never give up — Flyers keep point streak alive in overtime loss to Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in Toronto. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP)
After a 4 game-winning streak coming back from the break, the Flyers had a big opponent coming up before the Stadium Series against the Devils on Saturday. They faced a full Toronto squad on offense that was 27-16-8 coming to tonight’s game and that won their last game against the Blues.
The Flyers started the game early in the first period with a big shorthanded goal from Travis Sanheim after a big opportunity from Travis Konecny a few seconds before. Despite that SHG, the Flyers played really well on that penalty kill not letting one of the top power play teams in the league to establish themselves in the offensive zone and generate any offense. Overall, the Flyers played a solid period heading to the second period with a 1-0 lead.
In the second period, the Flyers started well like in the first. They created chances, played with energy, and put pucks on net. However, in the second part of the second period, the natural scorer Auston Matthews scored 3 goals in less than 10 minutes to give a 3-1 lead to the Leafs. The Flyers had a really rough time in that second part of the period because it looked like when Matthew touched the puck he found ways to create dangerous chances.
In the third, the Flyers came back to this game and tied it late in the period. With Noah Cates and Nick Seeler‘s help, Garnet Hathaway cut the lead in half to score an important goal. Finally, it’s the new assistant captain, Konecny who tied the game with the help of Owen Tippett and Joel Farabee on the power play.
This game proves it again, the Flyers don’t quit even though they are playing against Toronto on the road and were done by two heading to the third. They find ways to compete, play with energy, and come back! They don’t quit! This might not be what the Flyers wanted but they get an important point heading to the Stadium Series.
Also, Cameron York did not come back after a hit by Simon Benoit. We will have to keep an eye on that to see how serious it can be. Hopefully, he will be good to go on Saturday.
