Neuvirth, Provorov Lead Flyers to Shutout Win Over Blues

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The Flyers were on the wrong end of a shutout on Wednesday night. But down another defenseman and with the injuries continuing to pile up, the Flyers took a makeshift defense of sorts and managed to return the favor to the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night.

Michal Neuvirth and Ivan Provorov led the charge, as the Flyers were able to lock down the defensive zone in a 2-0 win over the Blues.

The first period was one of survival for the Flyers. An early power play for St. Louis gave them a chance to strike early, and they nearly did, taking nine shots in the first five minutes of the game. 

The Flyers managed to rebound late in the period, but it was clear this was going to be a daunting task for a very inexperienced Flyers defense. Shots through one period were 14-8 St. Louis.

Early in the second, the Flyers managed to break the ice on the scoreboard. A long shot by Brandon Manning at the point sailed into the net, but was waved off immediately by the officials for incidental contact with the goalie. Dave Hakstol challenged the call and it was overturned, giving Manning his second goal of the season.

The Flyers spent the rest of the period just trying to hold onto the lead. They also suffered another injury scare late in the period.

Former Flyer Brayden Schenn leveled Sean Couturier with a late, blindsided hit that knocked him to the ice. Couturier left the game at that point, but managed to return in the third. Schenn was given a two-minute minor for interference for the hit.

The third period was survival once again, as the Flyers had to cling to the one-goal lead throughout the period. The defense held things down, eliminating Blues forwards from the play and blocking shots throughout. Neuvirth also stood tall in goal.

Late in the period, the Flyers finally got the puck to the empty net, as Claude Giroux iced the game with a goal with five seconds left.

Neuvirth made 33 saves in the shutout win, just his second win of the season. Provorov had 10 blocks, tying a Flyers single-game record, while the rest of the defense, including four rookies, stood tall.

Jake Allen made 21 saves in the loss.

The Flyers are back in action on Saturday night against the Colorado Avalanche on home ice. Game time is 7 p.m.

Box Score

Scoring Summary

1st Period

• No Scoring

2nd Period

• PHI Brandon Manning (2) (Sean Couturier, Claude Giroux) 0:38

3rd Period

• PHI Giroux (7) EN (Wayne Simmonds, Couturier) 19:54

Game Statistics