The Flyers pressed on with their challenging run on home ice, gearing up for another showdown against Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs had emerged victorious in the previous two encounters between the two teams this season.
The orange and black were desperate for points and were going to try to do everything they could to ensure they collected two by night’s end. Consequently, head coach John Tortorella scratched his captain, Sean Couturier, alongside Cam Atkinson, Denis Gurianov, and Marc Staal.
Flyers Go Up Early
Owen Tippett got the Flyers off to a flying start as he gave them a 1-0 lead just 19 seconds into the first period. Morgan Frost provided a screen in front, and Tippett went blocker side on Toronto’s netminder, Ilya Samsonov. Cam York and Frost were credited with assists.
Tipp wasted no time. #TORvsPHI | @TippettOwen pic.twitter.com/p8xJE8M5uC
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 19, 2024
Nicolas Deslauriers and Ryan Reaves engaged in a heavyweight fight at the 4:53 mark of the first period. Both players landed punches, but Deslauriers secured the takedown.
Travis Sanheim extended the Flyers’ lead to 2-0 just 56 seconds into the second period. He received a slick pass from Garnet Hathaway and sent a wrist shot underneath the right arm of Samsonov. Hathaway received the lone assist.
Flyers Extend Lead
The Maple Leafs earned the first power play of the game as Frost was called for hooking. The Flyers managed to kill it off with some blocked shots and a few shorthanded chances.
The Flyers earned their first power play of the game as William Nylander was called for slashing. They couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity but generated some good chances and shots on net.
Frost increased the Flyers’ lead to 3-0 at the 16:26 mark of the second period. He rifled a wrist shot from inside the blue line past Samsonov’s glove. Ronnie Attard provided the only assist.
Flyers Withstand Toronto Comeback
Frost committed his second penalty of the game just 1:01 into the third period as he was called for hooking. It only took ten seconds for the Maple Leafs to strike as Nylander fired a wrist shot over the blocker of Philadelphia’s goaltender, Sam Ersson. Matthews and John Tavares received the assists.
The Flyers earned their second power play of the game as Pontus Holberg was called for high-sticking. Once again, they were unable to score but managed to get a few good shots on net.
Tyler Bertuzzi brought the Maple Leafs within one at the 10:16 mark of the third period, getting a wrist shot past Ersson in front after Morgan Rielly set him up with a backhanded pass behind the Flyers’ net. This made the score 3-2 in favor of the Flyers. Rielly and Tavares were credited with assists.
The Maple Leafs earned their third power play of the game as Scott Laughton was called for hooking. They had a golden opportunity to tie the game up but couldn’t get a puck past Ersson. However, the Leafs did generate good chances.
Laughton Burns Leafs
Laughton scored a crucial goal for the Flyers at the 13-minute mark of the third period, restoring Philadelphia’s two-goal lead. He rushed up ice after exiting the penalty box and passed the puck to Tippett, who then found Laughton in front of the net. This wrist shot gave the Flyers a 4-2 lead. Tippett received the lone assist.
Philly fight until the end. #TORvsPHI | @Laughts21 pic.twitter.com/dcH4Lvxjcs
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 20, 2024
The Maple Leafs weren’t finished yet as Tavares brought them back within one at the 17:50 mark of the third period. Bertuzzi’s pass deflected off Ryan Poehling and onto the stick of Tavares, who put the puck past Ersson’s blocker side. This made the score 4-3 in favor of the Flyers. Bertuzzi and Matthews got the assists.
The Flyers held on to secure the win as Ersson made some crucial last-minute saves and pick up a crucial two points with the win.
Ersson was solid, saving 27 of 30 shots faced and the Flyers power play went 0 for 2 on the night but were able to kill 2 out of 3 Toronto power plays.
Goal Summary:
1st Period
Tippett (25) Assists: York (19), Frost (25)
2nd Period
Sanheim (9) Assists: Hathaway (9)
Frost (12) Assists: Attard (1)
3rd Period
Nylander (37) (Power Play) Assists: Matthews (28), Tavares (28)
Bertuzzi (14) Assists: Rielly (43), Tavares (29)
Laughton (11) Assists: Tippett (20)
Tavares (22) Assists: Bertuzzi (19), Matthews (29)
Flyers Next Game:
Flyers’ next game is Thursday, March 21st in Carolina against the Hurricanes.
MEGHAN REILLY IS A CONTRIBUTOR AND LIVE GAME TWEETER FOR HW HOCKEY
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