The last time the Flyers and Sabres met was on January 10th when Sam Ersson earned his first NHL shutout. Things have gone in different directions for each team as Buffalo is looking to make a run to the playoffs while the Flyers are looking to rebuild. It was Philadelphia, though, who exploded for five goals in the victory.
It was a first period full of chances for Philadelphia. Kevin Hayes and Tyson Foerster came in on a 2-on-1 rush that ended with a Hayes shot off the blocker of Craigh Anderson. Owen Tippett used his speed to set up Scott Laughton, but the latter lost control on the backhand. Tippett, at the end of a shift, got a breakaway but was stopped by the pad of Anderson
Power play breaks through
The Flyers had gone 0-12 in their last five games on the man advantage. They sit dead last in the NHL when it comes to the power play. It’s a unit that has struggled the entire season. It may have helped that they were facing the 31st-ranked penalty kill, though.
It was Tippett, though, who got the Flyers on the board first with his 19th of the season. And surprisingly, it came via the power play. Tony DeAngelo, circling around the net, passed it to the blue line to Cam York. York found Tippett all alone at the top of the faceoff circle. Tippett turned and fired a wrister past Anderson. It was a very productive game for the 24-year-old.
Farabee breaks goalless drought
Joel Farabee came into the game having not scored in 26 games. His last goal? January 9th against the Buffalo Sabres. It looks like Farabee just needed to play them again. Just under four minutes into the second period, he came into the zone with Tyson Foerster on a brief 2-on-1. Foerster missed the net on the feed but Farabee found the puck toward the back corner of the net. He pulled it around and threw it to the far post and past the outstretched leg of Anderson.
Tippett, already obliterating his career highs, can now add being a 20-goal scorer to his name. Hayes, deep in the offensive zone, turned and wired a pass across the ice to Tippett. Going down to one knee, Tippett absolutely ripped one off the post and in.
Make it 4-0 as the Flyers exploded in the second period. Scott Laughton’s shot was blocked but he collected his own rebound and sent it across the slot to James van Riemsdyk. The latter had nothing but an open net in front and could simply put his stick on the ice and tap it in.
Things boiled over towards the end of the second period as Wade Allison, Nick Seeler, Peyton Krebs, and Kyle Okposo were all assessed roughing minors. Nicolas Deslauriers was also sent off with a 10-minute misconduct.
The Sabres finally broke through Carter Hart early in the third period. After Scott Laughton was called for hooking just 39 seconds in, Victor Olofsson sent a one-time from the dot passed a possibly screened Hart. It’s the first goal that Buffalo has scored against the Flyers this season.
Owen Tippett grabs first career hat trick
If it seemed like this was the Owen Tippett, that’s because it was. Tippett scored the first hat trick of his career three minutes after Olofsson’s goal. Tony DeAngelo flipped a puck to the neutral zone as it hopped over a Sabres’ stick and sent Tippett in on the breakaway. Tippett froze Anderson on the forehand before switching to the backhand for the goal.
The offensive explosion ended a four-game losing streak and was the first time they scored five goals since January 17th. They’ll be right back at it tomorrow night as they welcome in the Carolina Hurricanes.