Philadelphia Flyers: Breaking down top highlights of the season
The Philadelphia Flyers were in the midst of one of their best seasons in quite some time.
This looked like the year the Flyers would finally make a serious run at the Stanley Cup. They had the best odds to do so before the season was paused over a month ago. It was a season full of memorable moments.
There were plenty of top highlights to choose from. These are just a few of what made the Flyers season so special to watch.
Carter Hart’s Save Against Taylor Hall
The New Jersey Devils had a prime opportunity to tie the game going into the second intermission. Penalties by Sean Couturier and Kevin Hayes gave the Devils a 5-on-3 with just over two minutes remaining in the period. It was only a 1-0 game at the time so things were very much in reach.
In the Flyers’ home opener, Carter Hart gave the fans plenty to cheer about during his first career shutout. No moment was bigger than the save against Taylor Hall. Jack Hughes jumped up in the play, waiting as three Flyers were drawn to him. That gave him a perfect opportunity to find a wide-open Hall at the top of the faceoff dot.
There was plenty of open space for Hall to shoot at, but Hart said otherwise. He had to stretch across the entire crease just to get across in time. The puck was about as close as it could get to crossing over the goal-line. Hart didn’t even get his entire glove on the puck, that’s how close it was.
That save proved to be extremely important as the Flyers were able to grab three goals in the third period to run away with the win. Things could have gone a lot differently if Hart doesn’t make that save.
Ivan Provorov’s Coast to Coast Overtime Goal
Ivan Provorov decided to take matters into his own hands during an overtime victory over the Montreal Canadiens. It was a back and forth game as there were six different score changes during regulation. No team had more than a one-goal lead.
Provorov didn’t waste time giving the Flyers the final lead. From his blue line, Provorov started the charge up the ice. If need be, he had Sean Couturier and Oskar Lindblom on the ice with him. He charged across the middle of the ice, entering the offensive zone from the right side.
Max Domi was the only player standing in Provorov’s way. He made an incredible move to get around him. Moving his stick behind him, Provorov pushed the puck between his legs and forced his way past Domi. The two other Canadiens were left watching as Provorov cut in front to beat Keith Kinkaid.
It capped off an incredible month of November for the Flyers as they grabbed 24 out of a possible 32 points.
Travis Konecny’s Backhand Beauty
Travis Konecny opened up his career-high campaign in style. He scored twice in the season-opening victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Scott Laughton made the play happen, stealing the puck in the defensive zone. And Konecny did the rest.
Taking the puck at center ice, Konecny charged up the middle of the ice. With Duncan Keith in his way, Konecny flipped the puck from his forehand to his backhand. From there, he quickly slid the puck off his backhand and towards the net. Corey Crawford couldn’t flash the glove across in time.
It was just one of many highlight-reel plays that Konecny showed off this season. It was clear from the jump that he was ready to go this season.
Derek Grant’s Kick Pass
It didn’t take long for Derek Grant to welcome himself to Philadelphia. Grant had played three games before this matchup against the Washington Capitals. While he had grabbed his first points as a Flyer in the previous matchup, his kick pass to Kevin Hayes was his most noticeable assist.
The Flyers had tied things up earlier in the period on a power-play goal by Konecny. While they didn’t capitalize on their next chance, it was seconds after that this goal was scored. Brendan Dillon was just coming back into the play as Travis Sanheim found Nicolas Aube-Kubel. With two players on him, Aube-Kubel backhanded the puck towards the net.
Grant was fighting at the front of the net with Radko Gudas. As the puck came towards him, he was able to stretch out his right skate despite the contact. The puck hit off the back of his skate and right to Hayes for the easy go-ahead goal.
The Flyers didn’t look back from there, going on to score three more goals to defeat Washington for the third straight time.
Kevin Hayes’ Shorthanded Game-Winner
That wasn’t the only highlight-reel play that Hayes was a part of. He was a part of numerous ones while shorthanded. He grabbed a total of four throughout the season. His first of the season helped complete a huge Flyers comeback against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Flyers were down 4-2 during the beginning stages of the third period. Goals by Shayne Gostisbehere and James van Riemsdyk helped tie the game midway through the period. Hayes decided to put his mark on the game in a big way.
With the Blue Jackets on the power play with a chance to take the lead once more, Hayes took matters into his own hands. Cam Atkinson sent the puck to the point, hoping for Ryan Murray. Hayes tipped the pass, springing himself past Murray for the breakaway.
He caught up to the puck between the faceoff dots, putting a few moves on to try and get Joonas Korpisalo out of position. Korpisalo did a good job at sticking with it, but Hayes was even better at following up on the rebound.
We could probably go on and on with more moments from the season. And it wouldn’t be surprising that the players mentioned above would be featured on more than one occasion. It was looking more and more like the Flyers had what it took this season. If we get the chance to see what this group can do, it is likely to be special.