Don’t look now, but the Flyers are riding a six game point streak of 5-0-1. Let’s wrap on all the sights and sounds of the game:
Pregame: Ryan Poehling Heads to IR
On Monday, the Flyers announced that forward Ryan Poehling would be heading to IR. Of course, Poehling took a nasty hit from Maxim Tsyplakpov last Thursday against the Islanders that you can see above. Tsyplakpov was suspended three games, but did not receive a major penalty for the hit.
To step in for Poehling, the club recalled Rodrigo Abols from the Leigh Valley Phantoms. Abols, 29, is a former 2016 seventh round draft choice and made his NHL debut in this game.
“It’s not an ordinary debut when a wife and a three-year-old cheering you on,” Abols joked postgame. “Hopefully I can inspire someone.”
According to NHL stats, Abols is the oldest player to make his NHL debut with the Flyers since Will O’Neill did it in November of 2017. He logged 10:39 TOI, registering two shots on goal, one block and one hit.
Pretty Goal Joel
Despite spending a couple of games as a healthy scratch, Joel Farabee now has three points in his last three games. The 24-year-old forward added a goal and an assist in the Flyers win and is beginning to play some of his best hockey of the season.
“I’m not really doing anything crazy different,” Farabee said. “Just the idea of, when I don’t have the puck, try to get to the net and get on the inside.”
At the 14:39 mark of the second period, Farabee did just that, scoring in close with a sweet little backhander to give the Flyers the 1-0 lead. Sean Couturier and Matvei Michkov picked up the assists on the play. Later, Farabee added an assist on the overtime winner. The two point night gives Farabee 200 points for his career, all with the Flyers.
Straight Laninen
Speaking of players picking up their play, it was nice to see Rasmus Ristolainen rewarded in overtime. Amidst the trade rumors, the 30- year-old Finn has played well for Philly for quite awhile now, using his size and skating ability to keep plays alive. In overtime, Ristolainen went end-to-end, springing Farabee and with 26 seconds on the clock in the extra frame, Owen Tippett beat Wings’ netminder Alex Lyon. The puck sat on the goal-line before Joel Farabee and Ristonlainen crashed the crease and jammed it home.
“I’m not sure if I was able to put it in or someone else did,” Ristolainen said. “We’ll take the win.”
They Said It
John Tortorella on Rodrigo Abols’ game: “I liked him. I think he understands the game. Big guy. I think we need to get bigger, as a team, as we move along here. I thought he handled himself really well. He played 10 or 11 minutes. I didn’t
mind him at all.”
Sam Ersson on Getting the bulk of starts: “That’s what you want as a goalie, I think you get more into a rhythm. It’s doesn’t take as much mental energy to get engaged in the game when you play a lot.”
Sean Couturier on the Flyers’ point streak: “We’re playing connected. Everyone throughout the lineup is rolling and goaltending’s been really good.”
Did You Know?
The Flyers have gone past regulation a total of 15 times this season, tied for the most games past regulation in the NHL. They own an extra time record of 9-6 (OT: 6-3, SO: 3-3).
On Deck
The Flyers will be heading back onto the road for a brief, two-game road-trip to New York to take on the Rangers on Thursday before heading to UBS Arena to take on the Islanders on Friday.
