The Philadelphia Flyers rattled off their second win in as many nights, and fourth over their last five games, after taking down the Los Angeles Kings in a shootout by a final score of 4-3.
Quinton Byfield opened the scoring late in the first period, which was then followed by goals from Travis Konecny, Anže Kopitar, Noah Cates, and Travis Sanheim in the middle frame.
Artemi Panarin tied things up in the third period on a power play, which sent the game to overtime, where both teams could not hash things.
Fortunately, the Flyers are much better suited for the shootout this year and they took it home after just 2 rounds, getting goals from Trevor Zegras and Matvei Michkov, while also getting two big stops from Samuel Ersson on Adrian Kempe and Panarin.
FIRST PERIOD
Before the opening faceoff, the Flyers looked to have shuffled their lineup after Wednesday’s win in Anaheim with Garrett Wilson, Carl Grundström, and Noah Juulsen coming in for Sean Couturier, Denver Barkey, and Luke Glendening.
It was reported a few hours prior that Couturier was injured, but the Flyers announced after the game had started that the latter two were also dealing with injuries, paving the way for Wilson’s first NHL game since April 16th, 2019
That might have led to a very sleepy and frustrating first period, where they weren’t able to generate much offense against the Kings. To their credit, they played well defensively to keep the Kings at bay, but they eventually found a way through at the end of the period.
Byfield scored his 14th of the season from Alex Laferriere and Trevor Moore with just 29 seconds remaining in the period after he wired a perfect shot glove-high past Samuel Ersson from the slot. Moore was able to find Byfield all alone in the slot as the Flyers looked to missed their defensive assignments.
The period came to a close with the Kings holding onto a 1-0 lead, as well as a 6-3 edge in shots.
SECOND PERIOD
The Flyers responded very quickly, tying the game just 24 seconds into the period, courtesy of Travis Konecny. The Flyers’ leading goal scorer fired a shot through traffic that beat Darcy Kuemper glove-side for his 25th of the season.
However, the tie didn’t last long as the Kings’ all-time leading scorer, Kopitar, finished off the loose change in front of the net. Brandt Clarke’s initial shot missed the net, but it took a friendly bounce off the boards, and landed right onto the captain’s stick at the front of the net – just 21 seconds later.
The goal parade continued as Noah Cates chipped away at a loose puck in the blue paint after Kuemper was unable to control the initial shot from Matvei Michkov through traffic. The puck came out under his arm and Cates hacked away before it crossed the line, tying the game at the 4:12 mark.
Then the third line connected once more just 2:47 later after a strong forechecking shift led to a goal by Travis Sanheim. Michkov did a lot of the heavy work behind the net, winning puck battles and retrieving pucks, before Sanheim fired a shot from the point that beat Kuemper – through traffic again.
The period came to a close with the Flyers clinging onto a 3-2 lead, despite trailing on the shot clock by a 16-13 margin.
THIRD PERIOD
2:40 into the third period, Drew Doughty got a lot of Michkov on a hit behind the Kings’ net, which brought about an immediate response from the Flyers. Despite the hit and the Flyers response, the referees ruled no penalties and the game continued at 5-on-5, with Michkov not missing a shift.
Despite creating chances and hitting the post several times, the Kings eventually tied things up after Panarin scored with 22 seconds remaining on a Michkov hooking minor at the 10:28 mark. The Flyer-killer’s point shot found its way past Ersson with Moore doing a great job in front of the net and taking away his vision.
Panarin’s goal proved vital as it sent the game to overtime. which shouldn’t be all too shocking considering the teams involved, as it was the Flyers’ 25th extra frame session – fourth straight game – versus the Kings’ 26th.
OVERTIME
The Flyers did not have much control of the puck, if any, but they didn’t allow the Kings much time or space in the offensive zone as their forechecking really kept them in line.
Only one shot was recorded in the first four minutes before things slightly opened up in the final minute. Panarin had a fanastic opportunity to end the game late, as he deked out Michkov, but his pass was met by a defender.
SHOOTOUT
Round 1:
Adrian Kempe – Save
Trevor Zegras – GOAL
Round 2:
Artemi Panarin – Save
Matvei Michkov – GOAL
UP NEXT
The Flyers finish off their West Coast road trip on Saturday in San Jose against the Sharks. Puck drop is scheduled for 4:00pm/ET at SAP Center.
