The Philadelphia Flyers have proven throughout the season that they cannot be counted out, even when facing an early deficit.
The Flyers aim to post their fifth victory in six games Monday when they host the New York Rangers.
Philadelphia is coming off a 4-3 shootout victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday — a contest in which the team trailed 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 before rallying to draw even each time. The Flyers ultimately emerged in the shootout behind Trevor Zegras’ tally and Dan Vladar’s three stops in net.
“I think from the start of the year, honestly, I’m not sure what the stat is, but I’m sure we’ve played from behind quite a bit this year,” Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale said. “So, it’s not somewhere that we’re uncomfortable. I think it’s just a testament to the team. We’re never out of it.”
Owen Tippett and Denver Barkey scored in regulation for the Flyers, while Alex Bump tallied in his first NHL game.
“Not as nervous as I thought I was going to be,” Bump said. “…Once I started playing hockey, it’s just another hockey game. Still kind of getting used to it, but it’s only going to get better.”
Philadelphia also received a lift from its penalty-kill unit in overtime against Pittsburgh. Late in OT, the Flyers fought off a two-minute man advantage for the Penguins before prevailing in the shootout.
“We hung in there,” Philadelphia coach Rick Tocchet said. “The penalty kill gave us some juice. The young guys are scoring. So, yeah, I like the response.”
New York has lost seven of its last nine games, most recently a 6-3 road setback against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday. Vladislav Gavrikov scored a goal for the third straight game, but it wasn’t enough as the Rangers allowed a hat trick to Jack Hughes in their latest disappointing performance.
The Rangers certainly will be looking for an improved effort on special teams Monday after allowing the Devils to go 3-for-3 on the power play — not to mention an 0-of-4 effort from New York’s power play — in Saturday’s defeat.
“They gained a ton of momentum on their penalty kill and their power play,” said New York coach Mike Sullivan. “A big part of this game is momentum, and we didn’t get any juice from our special teams today.”
Sullivan is desperate for more energy and effort from his penalty-killing unit. New York’s penalty-kill percentage (78%) ranks 21st in the NHL entering Sunday’s action.
“Just a lack of urgency,” Sullivan said of their PK unit. “We didn’t box it at our net front, get sticks. We’re standing there screening our goalie. Look at how the goals were scored. Three of them were just sifters from the outside. We don’t get into people. There’s just no urgency to it.”
This is the fourth and final meeting between the Flyers and Rangers this season. New York won the first two matchups before Philadelphia posted a 3-2 win at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 26 behind Matvei Michkov’s overtime tally.
