Observations from the Flyers’ overtime win over the Rangers
It wasn't the prettiest victory of the year, but it was one the Flyers desperately needed. They're taking the day off Tuesday before meeting the Rangers again on Wednesday.
The Flyers played a pretty strong game Monday night, except for about 15 minutes of the second period when they made numerous mistakes and let the Rangers run fast breaks on them.
Here are some observations.
» READ MORE: Jake Voracek dragged the Flyers, and himself, to a win over the Rangers. Give the man a break. | Mike Sielski
Joel Farabee has onions
The kid scored a crucial goal to allow the Flyers to go into the second intermission tied at 3. He also set up the first goal of the game with a pretty assist and took a blast off the left foot from K’Andre Miller that left him crumpled on the ice. “It was just a stinger,” he downplayed afterward.
Did you notice?
Flyers coach Alain Vigneault kept Nolan Patrick up with Claude Giroux and Jake Voracek on the third line rather than putting Patrick back on the fourth line. Afterward, Vigneault cited Patrick for stepping into a battle after Giroux took a big hit from Rangers defenseman Brandon Smith.
Hands up
Michael Raffl, back from missing four games with an injured hand, played 9 minutes, 22 seconds. The coach said before the game that Raffl’s return will help the penalty kill, but Raffl was not used on the PK units Monday. The Flyers killed off three one-man disadvantages anyhow.
» READ MORE: Spectacular goal gives Flyers' overtime win
The third degree
The Flyers’ third defensive pairing, Shayne Gostisbehere and Nate Prosser, was on the ice for three of New York’s four goals. Julien Gauthier seemed to surprise Gostisbehere with a burst of speed on the Rangers’ third goal.
Second was bad
The Rangers had the first eight shots of the second period and dominated for much of the frame. The Flyers, frankly, were lucky to get out of the period tied.
Missing you
The Rangers picked up the point by getting to overtime despite not having top defenseman Adam Fox and leading goal scorer Pavel Buchnevich. The two players, along with forward Phillip Di Giuseppe, were placed on the COVID-19 protocol list just before Monday’s game. Their status for Wednesday is unknown.
» READ MORE: Flyers' notes: Wade Allison ready to make a push
Taking Hart
Forget the four goals allowed — Carter Hart played very well Monday. His stop on Chris Kreider during a third-period power play was the best save of the game. “I was lucky I got my skate on it there,” Hart said simply.