Nikita Kucherov collected a hat-trick, while Brandon Hagel and Brayden Point logged multi-point efforts to help Tampa Bay bottle up the Flyers on Tuesday night. Ersson got the start in goal for the Flyers, but that wasn’t the Philadelphia goaltender everyone was talking about today. Let’s wrap:
Carter Hart to Step Away Indefinitely
Let’s not bury the lede here. Prior to the game, news broke from the Flyers that goaltender Carter Hart would be taken a leave of absence for the foreseeable future. Hart, 25, has posted .906 save percentage this season to date, but has played much better than that number would suggest. He and rookie goaltender Sam Ersson have been the backbone of the Flyers first half success this season.
However, speculation has run amuck online about Hart’s involvement in the Hockey Canada scandal and that being the reason for his absence from the team. A brief synopsis here; in 2018, a woman alleged eight players from Canada’s 2018 world junior team had sexually assaulted her. Hart was on that team and there has been looming legal ramifications for most of 2023.
I won’t speculate here, but I understand why many will. Danny Briere will speak this morning and will surely be asked about it.
Atkinson Heating Up
After struggling mightily to find the back of the net, Cam Atkinson is filling it up with regularity of late. It’s nice to see from the veteran forward, who has found a nice niche on a line with Morgan Frost. Here’s video of his goal tonight:
Drysdale Gets His First As a Flyer
Jamie Drysdale continues to have a net positive impact on the Flyers blueline and powerplay, as the 21-year-old scored his first goal in orange and black. It’s not hard to the come away impressed with Drysdale’s ability to create space for himself with that impressive edgework he showcases nightly. Drysdale and Frost have already developed good rapport with one another on the powerplay and hopefully that continues. Both players possess skills that the team is in desperate need of.
Did You Know?
According to NHL stats, Joel Farabee assisted on the Flyers opening goal to extend his point streak to seven games. He therefore ties Travis Konecny for longest point streak by a Flyer this season.
On Deck
The Flyers will head out on the road for a quick pit stop in Detroit to play the Red Wings, 7:00 p.m. puck-drop.
