In just the third game of the 2023-2024 season, the Flyers notched their first penalty shot goal in seven years via the stick of Sean Couturier. The drought wasn’t for lack of chances though, which shouldn’t be a surprise given the team’s infamous shootout ineptitude since its inception in 2005. Their 26.5% conversion rate in the shootout is bad enough for third worst all time, in front of only the Boston Bruins and Seattle Kraken.
Until Couturier’s successful attempt, the Flyers had gone an astounding 0 for 10 on penalty shots dating back to 2016. Going back further to 2012, they had been 1 for 17 since now-GM Danny Briere was stopped in the Winter Classic by Henrik Lundqvist, bidding to tie the game with less than 20 seconds remaining in the third. The Flyers would go on to lose that game 3-2, ironically against the John Tortorella-led New York Rangers.
So, it was rather significant to see the newly minted captain’s attempt hit the back of the net, in more ways than one. The goal was Couturier’s first in 646 days after losing the better part of two straight seasons to injury. It was a sign that the two-way Selke winning center was officially back and, perhaps, the Flyers were too. In the spirit of new beginnings, Couturier pulled out a move we hadn’t seen from him before. He’s been going back to it frequently with some success.
Four more penalty shot attempts later, the Flyers are now a perfect 5 for 5 on the year. The latest of which came from burgeoning young forward, Tyson Foerster, who clinched the record with this effort Saturday night against the Ottawa Senators.
