PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Huge win for the reeling Flyers, getting a third period goal from Jakub Voracek and then winning 2-1 in a shootout to keep themselves on pace two points behind the Rangers and six points back of the Bruins for the final playoff spot in the MassMutual Eastern Conference.
Flyers got big performances from Carter Hart, 30 saves and the number one star of the game, and a pair of highly skilled shootout goals from Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier. Jake Guentzel scored on the first shootout shot, but Hart denied Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang.
“Their goalie was really good tonight,” said defenseman Kris Letang. “He made a lot of key saves on different 2 on 1s or odd-man rushes during the game. I don’t think we played really well for 60 minutes. We had some bursts here and there. Maybe the fact that we didn’t play for 3-4 days showed a little bit. We have to find our game, where it was before.”
“This is the first time we’ve had a three day break in I can’t remember how long,” said head coach Mike Sullivan. “I don’t think we were quite as sharp. Our passing wasn’t as sharp. Our decision-making wasn’t quite as sharp. As a result, I think our overall game wasn’t quite as sharp.”
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Carter debut
Former Flyer forward Jeff Carter played some penalty kill, power play and 5-on-5 in 17 minutes and 54 seconds in his first game with the Penguins.
“In the first period I felt like I was standing still, thinking about system and trying to figure out where I was supposed to go,” Carter said. “Second period, I started playing hockey and used my speed. That’s when we started creating chances as a line.”
“I thought Jeff had a good game,” Sullivan said. “I think his staking ability really stands out. He’s got real good hands. He can still shoot the puck extremely well. He generated a number of scoring chances. You can see how he is going to help us become a better hockey team.”
“Definitely will have to sit down tomorrow and the next couple of days and watch some stuff with the coaches and my linemates,” Carter said. “Just kind of figure it out a little bit more. It’s been kind of a whirlwind getting out here, a couple of skates and right into it. I’m glad I got in tonight and got the first one over and now we can kind of settle here and get going.”
Scary moment
Early in the third, Phillippe Myers shot deflected off a Pens stick and caught center Nolan Patrick in the side of the head. He immediately went down and had to be helped off the ice and eventually assisted by Taglianetti to the Flyers dressing room. Flyers said Patrick told them he felt fine and will be evaluated again tomorrow.
Up Next
Weekend series in Buffalo with both Saturday and Sunday’s game starting at 3p. The last place Sabres pounded the Caps in Washington Thursday night 5-2 and have four wins this month and points in two other games.