An unlikely source delivers the Flyers’ first goal of the season

Well, let's try this again. After the Flyers failed to score a goal against the Penguins, they'll try to do it against the Devils, a team they swept in the season series last year. They scored at least five goals in each game, outscoring New Jersey 16-7 in the three victories. They could use that goal-scoring output again.

The Flyers have not been shut out in their first game since 2006, coincidentally enough, against the Penguins in a 4-0 loss. But they wouldn't let that shutout streak last any longer. And it came from an unlikely source in an unlikely spot.

With a delayed penalty, the Flyers had the 6-on-5 advantage in the offensive zone. Without fear of having the puck taken away, the defenseman can play more freely. And Rasmus Ristolainen did just that. As Trevor Zegras came on as the extra attacker, Ristolainen headed toward the front of the net.

Off a pass from Travis Konecny, Travis Sanheim one-timed the puck from the line. Using that big frame in front, Ristolainen redirected the puck to mercifully give the Flyers their first goal of the season.

With Ristolainen scoring the Flyers’ opening goal against the Devils, the Flyers have not had the same first-goal scorer for the last 14 seasons. The last Flyer to score the first goal of the season in back-to-back years was Claude Giroux in 2011-12 and 2012-13. As for a defenseman scoring? You'd have to go all the way back to 2001, when Eric Weinrich scored the tying goal against the Florida Panthers.

Ristolainen finally breaks through with the Flyers first goal

Ristolainen is not known as an offensive defenseman. He has 57 career goals in 821 career games, and only 11 of them have come with the Flyers in his six seasons in Philadelphia. Last season, Ristolainen did not score his only goal of the season until his 18th game, after missing the first few months of the season. He also scored his first career playoff goal in Game 3 against the Penguins.

Ristolainen has been in trade rumors for what feels like every season he has been with the Flyers. He's entering the final year of his five-year contract, and it seems hard to believe that he will remain in Philadelphia to finish it out.

With young defensemen trying to break through, the Flyers may need to pull the trigger on a deal at some point. It will depend on whether someone like Oliver Bonk or David Jiricek forces themselves into the conversation. Ristolainen has improved since he came to Philadelphia, though, and his style of play would sorely be missed.

But Ristolainen will find himself, sort of, a hero to start the season. Their first goal of the year may not have come from someone they expected, but at that point, they were going to take it from anyone.

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