Flyers win again, move into playoff position
Game Events
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Forwards
The Philadelphia Flyers had to follow a different script tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks, but the result was the same. This time it was the Flyers on their heels to start the game, and the Hawks eventually broke through when Marian Hossa scored a shorthanded goal. The Flyers were fortunate to head into the first intermission with a tie score however, when Ryan White scored on a power play deflection. The Hawks would surge again to take another lead, but the Flyers fought back in the second period and got the better of the Hawks in a defensive third period. With the 3-2 win, the Flyers officially move into playoff position over the Detroit Red Wings.
- The Sean Couturier line probably had the best body of work on the night, seeing plenty of the Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane line. They especially shined in the pivotal second period, combining for seven shots on goal in that frame. Couturier ultimately led the Flyers in both shots (four) and points (two assists).
- The Claude Giroux line was out for both Hawks goals, but scored the crucial goal when Giroux fed Brayden Schenn. Otherwise, this line got whipped by the Toews line, with a ~20% Corsi.
- The Pierre-Edouard Bellemare line finished with a fair Corsi overall, but much of their positive possession came against the Chicago fourth line. Bellemare and Chris VandeVelde also combined for three minor penalties.
- The Nick Cousins line matched up against the Hossa and Artemi Panarin line, but only managed about a 30% Corsi in those matchups. Matt Read led that group with five shot attempts.
Defense
- The numbers for Brandon Manning and Radko Gudas above really jump off the page. Their usage was slightly easier than the other pairs, but Gudas was busy like usual: five shot attempts, team-leading three hits, team-leading three blocked shots — and the game-winning goal, of course.
- Shayne Gostisbehere and Andrew MacDonald racked up the minutes, and like most of the Flyers, struggled against the Toews line. It could've been a very different night for Ghost had he not hit the post twice, and yielded a shorthanded goal when his stick broke on a slapshot attempt.
- Mark Streit and Nick Schultz struggled, although they saw more of Kane than any other pair. They combined to block six shots, but were often pinned in their own end. Toews scored when they were pinned in an especially long time, and Streit was charged with three giveaways on the night.
Marc Naples is a contributor to Flyerdelphia and Sports Talk Philly. Follow him on Twitter@SuperScrub47.
