Flyers 6, Lightning 2: A lights-out performance

The Flyers, in an absolutely weird and absolutely pivotal game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, rode a third period surge to a 6-2 win at the Wells Fargo Center. The power (in more ways than one) finally went out on the Lightning’s 8 game win streak in Philadelphia, and the Flyers gained another two points in the playoff race.

The Basics

First period: 2:22- Bobby Brink (Frost, Staal)

Second period: 4:35- Nick Paul (Brandon Hagel)

Third period: 0:54- Tyson Foerster (Frost), 3:08- Travis Sanheim (Cates, Hathaway), 6:55- Sean Walker (Farabee, Seeler), 14:34- Steven Stamkos (Point, Kucherov), 15:22- Noah Cates (Poehling), 17:41- Cam York (Sanheim)

SOG: 29 (PHI) – 22 (TB)

Some Takeaways

Bobby Brink is back

With the injury to Travis Konecny and a forward core desperate for skill, the Bobby Brink (11 points in 11 AHL games) call-up was beyond due. On his first shift back from the Phantoms, Brink scored a beautiful goal off a Morgan Frost neutral zone set-up, skating into the Tampa zone and beating Vasilevsky glove-side for the early lead. No question that goal must have felt good for Brink.

It wasn’t just the goal, though – Brink was noticeable in the offensive zone for most of the night. One chance in particular early in the second period, a Brink zone-entry where he drove behind the net and no-looked a pass to Joel Farabee in front, is an example of what the best-version of Brink can be. For this team, that version of Brink could be invaluable down the stretch run.

Tyson Foerster, again

Well, the concerns from earlier in the season about Tyson Foerster not being able to score are proving to be sillier by the day. On Foerster’s go-ahead-goal in the third, a nifty move to a backhand that Vasilevsky *probably* should have had, Foerster finally seems to be getting some hard-earned luck. The goal was his seventh in his last seven games, and if his strong defensive metrics are any indication, a hell of a player could be forming here.

https://twitter.com/BroadStHockey/status/1762662171266232765?s=20

Cates-Poehling-Hathaway line continues to impress

Speaking of hot streaks, the third line was noticeable in a good way yet again against Tampa Bay. The speed of Poehling, the hockey sense of Cates, and the tenacity of Hathaway seems to really put the opposition into forechecking hell. Shift after shift, it continues to feel like the third line imposes their will onto the opponent, skating into the zone with speed. On Tuesday night, the trio was rewarded on Travis Sanheim’s 3rd period goal after a perfectly executed rush, and later on a Noah Cates empty netter to seal the deal.

Who turned out the lights?

And last but certainly not least, the Wells Fargo Center did not have the best of nights. Around six minutes into this one, a significant amount of lights went out, and play was stopped while the officials deliberated on what to do. After lots of delay, play resumed in the Farg with diminished lighting, a stopped clock, and a whole bunch of other weirdness. JJ and Boosh’s monitors were out, no in-arena music or sounds were heard, and Lou Nolan was without a mic until early in the second period. As it usually works with the Flyers, nothing, including the lights, can ever be perfectly normal.

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Flyers 6, Lightning 2: A lights-out performance

Talking Points