Couturier, Elliott Lead Flyers to Shootout Win Over Leafs

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

A week ago, the Flyers and Maple Leafs needed a shootout to decide the game. It took 11 rounds to get a result.

On Saturday night in Toronto, the Flyers had to survive a frantic overtime to force a shootout again. This time, just three rounds were needed.

Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier got goals in the shootout and Brian Elliott made two saves as the Flyers claimed a 3-2 win over the Maple Leafs.

The Flyers opened the scoring for the third straight game. Just like on Thursday night, Phil Myers provided the offense. The defenseman jumped up on the rush and fired a shot high that beat Frederik Andersen for his second goal in as many games.

On a power play late in the period, the Flyers padded the lead. Travis Konecny delayed and then set up Oskar Lindblom for a nifty deflection from the side of the net to make it 2-0. It was a team-leading eighth goal of the season for Lindblom.

Through 20 minutes, Toronto had a 10-8 lead in shots.

During the second period, Toronto started to pick up the pace and take control of the game. It ultimately led to their first goal of the game at 10:11. 

Travis Dermott finished on the goal, jumping into the play and taking a feed from William Nylander to make it 2-1 with his first goal of the season.

The Flyers held a one-goal lead going to the third and at the start had some good chances. After three great scoring chances that were stopped by Andersen, the Maple Leafs got the game tied.

Auston Matthews had the puck behind the net and appeared to try a lacrosse move. As he lost control of the puck, he centered for a wide open Nylander.

For the rest of the third, the Flyers had the bulk of the better chances, outshooting Toronto, 13-11, in the final period.

In overtime, Toronto dominated in shots, 8-1, but both teams had glorious chances to end the game. Toronto had three odd-man rushes in the overtime. Kevin Hayes hit the post and Ivan Provorov put a breakaway chance wide of the net. 

In the shootout, John Tavares and Konecny were stopped in the first round. Matthews was stopped in the second round before Giroux went in and fired a slap shot past Andersen to put the Flyers ahead. Nylander scored to start the third round, squeezing one by Elliott. Couturier followed by putting a move on Andersen and finishing to give the Flyers the win.

Elliott made 38 saves in 65 minutes plus two more in the shootout. Andersen made 30 saves in 65 minutes.

The Flyers get right back on the ice on Sunday night as they look for a third straight win and points in six straight games against the Boston Bruins. Game time is 7 p.m.

Box Score

Scoring Summary

1st Period

• PHI Phil Myers (2) (James van Riemsdyk, Joel Farabee) 8:08
• PHI Oskar Lindblom (8) PP (Travis Konecny, Shayne Gostisbehere) 18:28

2nd Period

• TOR Travis Dermott (1) (William Nylander, Auston Matthews) 10:11

3rd Period

• TOR Nylander (5) (Matthews, Justin Holl) 3:58

Overtime

• No Scoring

Shootout

• TOR John Tavares – Save
• PHI Travis Konecny – Save
• TOR Auston Matthews – Save
• PHI Claude Giroux – Goal
• TOR William Nylander – Goal
• PHI Sean Couturier – Goal

Game Statistics