The Philadelphia Flyers would take on the New Jersey Devils for the fourth and final time this season in a must-win game at home where the Flyers are 75-40-18 all time vs New Jersey.
First Period
On a night where the Flyers celebrated beloved former Flyer, Wayne Simmonds, the Flyers would be fighting tooth and nail to keep their playoff hopes alive, much the same way Simmonds fought for the Flyers.
For always representing the Orange & Black the right way…
Thank you, @Simmonds17. #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/Fm6h7RCzKM
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) April 13, 2024
The first period was largely uneventful until Flyers goalie Sam Ersson made a big save against Nico Hischier with thirteen minutes remaining in the first period. Ersson came up with another big save at 12:19.
Nick Seeler drew a retaliation penalty on Erik Haula after delivering a significant hit on Dawson Mercer. This led to a Flyers power play with 9:54 remaining in the period.
The Flyers went on a 5-on-3 advantage with 9:07 left after Brendan Smith was penalized for high sticking.
Tensions escalated with 1:12 remaining in the first period, with Bobby Brink in the midst of the action.
The score remained 0-0 after the first period. The Flyers managed 11 shots on Kaapo Kahkonen, while Ersson stopped all six Devils shots directed his way.
Second Period
After a relatively uneventful ten minutes of hockey, the Devils earned their first power play of the game at 10:11, with Cam Atkinson penalized. It was during this power play that Travis Konecny would score his 6th shorthanded goal of the season, assisted by Scott Laughton, giving the Flyers a 1-0 lead with 9:10 remaining in the second period.
THE POWER KILL STRIKES AGAIN.
The NHL’s leader in SHG tallies our league-leading 16th shorty of the season! #NJDvsPHI | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/3WR8XAswQN
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) April 13, 2024
It was a milestone goal for Konecny as he added onto his career high goals in a season with 33 and recorded his 400th point in the process.
After two periods the Flyers led 1-0 as Ersson stopped all shots thrown his way.
Third Period
After another somewhat uneventful period the Devils pulled Khkonen with 2:09 left in the game. Travis Konecny intercepted a pass in the neutral zone and sent it into the New Jersey zone, securing the win and critical two points for the Flyers.
Meanwhile, Sam Ersson stopped all 20 shots he faced, earning his fourth shutout of the season. This victory marks the Flyers’ second consecutive win against Metro opponents and temporarily placed them in a wild card spot ahead of Pittsburgh’s upcoming game against Toronto tonight. Washington and Detroit have both won since the end of the game and have once again leapfrogged the Flyers.
JIM IACOVONE IS A PROUD FLYERS MEDIA MEMBER AND FOUNDER OF HW HOCKEY
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