In just the second time in the last 24 contests, the Red Wings come to Philadelphia and pick up a regulation win, thanks to Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane. Let’s wrap:
Pregame: Tyson Foerster Returns to Lineup
The Flyers got some positive news on the injury front ahead of puckdrop Thursday evening. Winger Tyson Foerster is rejoining the club after a 49-game absence (Dec. 1st) from the lineup due to arm surgery. According to Charlie O’Connor, Foerster took line rushes with Trevor Zegras and Owen Tippett at the morning skate. Post practice, head coach Rick Tocchet added that Foerster underwent testing yesterday and was cleared to return thereafter.
The 24-year-old logged 23 shifts and 16:19 minutes of total ice time in the loss, flanked by Zegras and Tippett. He also scored 31 seconds into the second period on a broken play. All things considered, Foerster didn’t appear to skip a beat after the long layoff.
Catlike
After a Sean Couturier tripping penalty, the Red Wings would jump out to a 1-0 lead at the 18:49 mark of the opening frame. Patrick Kane surveyed the ice and fired a pass across the seam to Alex Debrincat, who then fired a strike past Sam Ersson glove side. The goal was Debrincat’s 38th of the season and set a new career high in points (79).
The Breaks
In the second period, the Red Wings would once again find a late goal. At the 18:29 mark, Detroit defender Simon Edvinsson would wheel behind the Flyers net and attempt to hit J.T. Compher with a pass in the slot. Compher attempted to get into shooting position, but ended up redirecting the puck to a wide open Lucas Raymond for the goal. It was the 24-year-old Swede’s 25th goal of the season and had the Flyers chasing the game again.
Give It Away
At the 10:29 mark of the 3rd period, the Flyers would cut into the Detroit lead on a hard net-drive from Travis Konecny to make the game 3-2. Rookie Porter Martone would pick up his first NHL point on the play, despite it coming on a delay. Initially, the play was called off due to goaltender interference, but was challenged by the Flyers before the play was reversed. It was an odd sequence, as it appeared Konecny only went careening into John Gibson because of contact with defensemen Jacob Bernard-Docker.
Then, just 15 seconds later, the Red Wings would restore their two-goal lead when DeBrincat added another goal.
“They work their butt off, but there are times when you’ve just got to sense danger,” head coach Rick Tocchet said. “There were a couple of goals where we need a guy to reload behind and stay above. I don’t want to say we’re cheating for offense, but we’re on the wrong side.”
Offensively, the Flyers were able to create plenty of quality of chances, but Gibson was very good in this game for Detroit. It obviously wasn’t enough.
“It’s kind of hockey, you know?,” Ersson said. “It’s the game of bounces and it sucks that you’re on the bad side of it, but it what is is. We got to just regroup here.”
They Said It
Tocchet on the game’s officiating: “I don’t know if it was a two nothing penalty for us. I didn’t feel that way. I thought there was a couple of things. I didn’t agree for the first 30-to-35 minutes at all.”
Ersson on the team’s confidence level after back to back losses: “Yeah, it’s still high. I mean, we’ve been doing very well. We can’t let two losses affect us like that. We know we’re playing well. I think we played very well today too. I got to come up with a couple more saves to keep us in it.”
Travis Konecny on the Flyers’ big game on Friday: “Every game’s a must-win at this point, so that’s how we’re looking at it tomorrow.” Another good team we’re playing against, but this locker room in here, we all believe that we’re better than any opponent we’re playing right now.”
Porter Martone on his first home game playing for the Flyers: “It was awesome. You know, these fans are incredible. They showed out, they’re loud.”
Did You Know?
According to NHL stats, Porter Martone (19 years, 158 days) became the youngest Flyers player first career point since Nolan Patrick on Oct. 7, 2017 (19 years, 18 days).
On Deck
Quick turnaround for the Flyers as they return to action on Friday in New York against the Islanders. Puckdrop is set for 7:00 p.m. and will broadcast locally on NBCSP+.
