The Philadelphia Flyers snapped their two-game losing streak almost as quickly as it began on Saturday night.
Things got a little intense after the Flyers‘ performances got increasingly worse between the two losses. However, they got revenge on the New York Islanders with a more complete defensive effort, winning 1-0 in a shootout.
Tyson Foerster was the game’s lucky goal-scorer, going backhand-forehand-upstairs on superstar goalie Ilya Sorokin. Sam Ersson was no slouch either, stopping all 25 shots he faced, plus another three in the shootout.
Morgan Frost replaced Bobby Brink in the lineup, and played a very effective game at both ends of the ice. Rasmus Ristolainen made his season debut, playing 17:49 in the victory. He did take a penalty, but also contributed three hits and three shots on goal.
Ryan Poehling was benched for most of the second period, getting one shift at the start of the period and one at the end. He played just 12:32, which was the third-lowest amount on the entire team.
With their win, the Philadelphia Flyers jump back up to second in the Metropolitan Division and into a wildcard playoff spot.
The Flyers still have a bunch more games against divisional opponents coming up, with the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils on tap next. Their next four games in total will all be against Metro rivals, which should mean that the team and fans will have a pretty good idea of where the Flyers are at, looking towards the future.
Speaking of New Jersey…
New Jersey Hockey Now: The New Jersey Devils welcomed back their captain, Nico Hischier, just in the nick of time. Hischier was activated ahead of the Devils‘ game against the Buffalo Sabres, which they won, 7-2. The 24-year-old scored a goal and an assist in his triumphant return to the ice.
This is bad news for the Flyers, because they have the Devils on Thursday. New Jersey had been playing pretty bad hockey as of late, imploding against the New York Rangers and getting shutout by the Detroit Red Wings – the Devils’ first shutout against in over 100 games – after only producing 16 shots on goal. Timo Meier may also be nearing a return, so Philadelphia could have their hands full by midweek.
The Rangers have been without Adam Fox due to injury since Nov. 4, but it seems like the stud defenseman is nearing a return.
Fox has reportedly resumed skating, and would be eligible to return as soon as Nov. 29 against the Red Wings.
The Rangers have been just fine without Fox, but now imagine them with him.
Gabe Vilardi is preparing to return, but that’s not the Winnipeg Jets news we have for today. In fact, the ‘player’ is no longer playing in the NHL.
Instead, former Jets All-Star Dustin Byfuglien is now fishing… competitively! Byfuglien retired in 2020 after injuries prevented him from suiting up for the Jets in the 2019-20 season.
The 38-year-old – apparently – has six years on tour under his belt, fishing out of Medina, MN. Byfuglien has not won the Champions Tour yet, but does have two Champions Tour Top Ten’s.
I imagine fishing is less physically taxing than being a top-four NHL defenseman playing in the Western Conference.
NYI Hockey Now: So, the Flyers’ penalty kill is pretty good. So is the New York Islanders‘ power play. That wasn’t the case Saturday, though, and now we know why the Islanders wanted more from their second unit.
Philadelphia had more shots on the Islanders’ power play than the Islanders did, and usually that’s not a recipe for success. It wasn’t on Saturday night.
Colorado Hockey Now: Colorado Avalanche defenseman, Sam Girard, is entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. By his own admission – made in a statement through his representation – Girard is being treated for severe anxiety and depression, which caused alcohol abuse.
We applaud Sam for having the courage to speak up about his struggles and to seek help, and hope to see him back on the ice for the Avalanche in good health very soon.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Pittsburgh Penguins got a much-needed win to keep their playoff aspirations from starting to slip away. Marquee acquisition Erik Karlsson hasn’t been lighting it up, but his teammates managed to lift him up in this one.
A 3-2 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs is no joke, but the Penguins still have work to be done.
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