Flyers Win Second Straight Game via Shootout Against the Kings

Flyers after dark continued into the early morning hours on the East Coast. The Flyers were coming off a huge overtime win against Cutter Gauthier’s division-leading Anaheim Ducks, and they looked for back-to-back wins, heading up north to face the Los Angeles Kings. With the team down multiple players due to injury, they played out a drama-filled overtime thriller, with the Flyers becoming victorious 4-3 in the shootout. The Flyers finished their trip to the City of Angels with two wins and split the season series with the Kings.

Samuel Ersson got the start in net, which was only his third start in the last month and a half. Coming off his best game of the season in a 4-1 win vs. the Capitals, he saved 19/22 shots in regulation. Kings goalkeeper Darcy Kuemper saved 15/18 Flyers shots. 

The first period was a snooze fest for both teams up until the end, but mostly for the Flyers. They could not get anything going on offense. Already down Sean Couturier, Denver Barkey, and Luke Glendening, while being on a back-to-back, this outcome wasn’t surprising. The Kings were also well-rested, having last played on Monday. But boy, it was dull for the Flyers. It took them well over thirteen minutes into the period to finally record a shot on goal. Not only did they not score, they barely had the puck. The Kings had full control of the possession during the period, but the Flyers played good defense, stopping pushes and killing a power play early. But with just 29 seconds left, Quinton Byfield was able to get a pass from Trevor Moore and get his shot right by Ersson to make it 1-0. Byfield has a seven-game point streak vs. Philadelphia, and also scored the game-winner in overtime when the Kings came to South Philly earlier this season. 

The second period turned around for the Flyers, going from a team showing no life of offense to begin, to scoring three goals and gaining a lead. 26 seconds in, the Flyers skated down, and Travis Konecky sniped in a pass from Rasmus Ristolainen for his 25th goal of the season. That lead lasted just 21 seconds. Future Hall of Famer Anze Kopitar scored up close and ahead of Ersson from a pass by Brandt Clarke. Just a few minutes later, Noah Cates added to his consecutive scoring streak, scoring in his second straight game. It looked like Kuemper was able to get it out of trouble, but it cleared over the line, tying the game right back up. Cates’ goal was assisted by Matvei Michkov. Two minutes later, is when the Flyers would have the lead. Cates added to his already fantastic night by assisting Travis Sanheim, who sniped in a shot from 57 feet. It was Sanheim’s seventh goal of the season, and it passed Shayne Gostisbehere for fifth in Flyers history in goals by defensemen.

After the festival of goals, both teams ended up going quiet for the remainder of the period. The Kings had two chances in the second half, in which the Flyers couldn’t clear the puck out, but Ersson stepped up and made crucial saves. Both teams also traded power plays, which led to nothing.

The final stanza started with a Kings’ power play that was induced in the final seconds left in the second. Nothing came out of that, but around five minutes in, Michkov took a huge hit from Drew Doughty, which had him wincing on the ice in pain. His teammates came to his support and backed him up, which started brawls all over the place. Michkov later went into the tunnel and went back onto the ice.

Just under halfway into the third, Los Angeles finally converted on their fourth power play, after being left scoreless all night. Ersson lost sight of the puck, and Artemi Panarin was able to shoot one in to tie the game. Even though his jersey changed, Panarin still loves to score and haunt the Flyers.

The Flyers showed many chances throughout this period. Konecny, Trevor Zegras, and Nikita Grebenkin all hit the post, and Sanheim also had a fantastic game with a ton of defensive stops to go along with the goal. Konecny got knocked down with around 30 seconds left, which would’ve been a penalty against the Kings, but instead the Flyers headed to their fourth straight overtime.

The three-on-three started with the Flyers trying to change after a cleared puck, which almost turned into a disaster if it wasn’t for a save from Ersson. The Kings basically had all control of the puck, going back to center ice every time. The Flyers had a chance when Zegras’ shot went wide as the clock expired, and overtime went without a goal. 

Adrian Kempe missed the first shot for the Kings, whilst Zegras made his first shot to continue his shootout excellence. Panarin’s shot was saved by Ersson, and Michkov buried his through to give the Flyers their sixth straight win on the road, all in overtime or a shootout. 

The Flyers will finish their trip out west with a Saturday matinee in San Jose to visit the Sharks on Saturday. Puck drop is at 4:00 P.M.

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