Bobby Brink’s four point night (1g, 3a) helps the Flyers improve to 4-2 at home against their cross-state rival Penguins in their last six contests. The Flyers also lead the season series 2-1. Let’s wrap:
Pelts’ First Point
At the12:19 mark of the first period, Noah Cates scored ending an 11-game point drought. It was a perfectly placed shot by Cates as the puck went off the post and in the net with defenseman Kris Letang defending on the rush.
“Before the break, the team, personally, kind of just struggling, flat, whatever. No energy,” Cates said. “So, really took the break personally. So now, I think we’re refreshed and we’re excited to come to the rink.”
Brink picked up his first of three helpers on the night as well, but it was Jakob Pelletier that put the puck on a tee for Brink to hit the Penguins blueline with speed. The tertiary assist went to Pelletier as a result, marking his first point since joining the Flyers.
Pelletier made his Flyers debut on Feb. 22 against Edmonton after working through some visa issues that needed to be resolved. Since then, he is skating on the Flyers fourth line with Ryan Poehling and Garnet Hathaway. He’ll look to work his way up the lineup and given the dearth of natural left wingers on the roster, should have a decent shot at doing so provided he plays well.
Tuesday night was a step in the right direction.
Streaks of Orange
Ten different Flyers got on the score sheet Tuesday night in the dominate win and likewise, several players extended point streaks against the Penguins. Defenseman Egor Zamula owns a three-game point streak (1g-2a) against Pittsburgh now, while Captain Sean Couturier has eight points (3g-5a) in his last ten games.
Additionally, Tyson Foerster has nine points (5g-4a) in his last seven games against the Pens, Owen Tippett has four points (3g-1a) in his last five games and finally, Noah Cates now has five points (3g-2a) in his last four games.
They Said It
John Tortorella on the Flyers Holding Crosby and Malkin Scoreless: “I think the key is to play on top of them, try to keep them out of our end zone, making good decisions with the puck when they’re up against that line and not just turning things over. I think for the most part we did that.”
Bobby Brink on his Four Point Game: “I think we’ve strung a couple good games together. Tonight, bounces just kind of went our way and pucks went in. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t.”
Matvei Michkov on How he Feels After the 4 Nations Break: “There’s more energy, more power in the body so I feel a lot better.”
Rasmus Ristolainen on the Flyers Recent Encouraging Play of Late: “We have a lot of trust in this room and that’s what drives us and keeps us tight. We’re just taking it game by game, day by day, and you never know what might happen.”
Did You Know?
According to NHL stats, the Flyers scored first for the 33rd time in 2024-25, tied with the Avalanche for the fourth most across the NHL behind the Blue Jackets (36), Sabres (35) and Wild (34).
On Deck
The Flyers return to action on Tuesday night when once again they take on the Penguins, but this time in Pittsburgh. The game will be broadcast locally on NBCSP at 7:00 p.m. EST.
