Flyers backed by Sam Ersson shutout in victory over Bruins

TD Garden had not been kind to the Flyers. Until Tuesday night that is. For the first time since 2021, Philadelphia has won a game in Boston. And they did it with a 1-0 score

Going back even further, it’s their first regulation win since 2011. Sean Couturier made his NHL debut in that game. It was also their first shutout victory in that arena since 2006.

After a high affair first period, things slowed down in the final two periods. The teams combined 24 total shots with neither team hitting double digits. Boston had the only double-digit period for the entire game with 11 shots in the first. They ended up outshooting the Flyers 23-19, but only Philadelphia had one go into the back of the net.

And that folks, is how you win a hockey game.

Sam Ersson shuts things down…literally 

If you looked at Ersson’s numbers, you would assume it hasn’t been a great start to the season. But you need to look beyond the box score to see his impact on the game. He made numerous big saves before and after the Flyers scored. That included 1:37 of a 5-on-3 penalty kill.

The Bruins only ended up with three shots in the final period as the Flyers made sure that nothing went through to their goaltender. That had a massive advantage in blocked shots. They finished with 29 blocks to Boston’s 10. Sean Couturier, Travis Sanheim, Jamie Drysdale, and Nick Seeler all led the way with four blocks. Only six players ended up not having a block for Philadelphia while seven players had multiple. 

A game after disconnected was the word of the net, both Ersson and the players in front of him worked together to grind out a tough win in Boston.

Emil Andrae registers first NHL point 

Andrae has impressed dating back to training camp and the preseason. He would’ve made the opening night roster if the team had room. But his hard work has earned him the opportunity now. With Cam York sidelined for at least two weeks, Andrae now has a chance to show that he’s learned from his few games last season.

Whatever the team told him to work on, he has come out flying. Despite his smaller frame, Andrae isn’t afraid to get involved in the physicality. While he wasn’t credited with a hit, there were moments when he was very involved in scrums or playing the body.

On the offensive side, Andrae made a few nice passes that led to scoring chances. He could’ve had a few points in this one. But he did get the primary assist on Tyson Foerster’s game-winning goal. It was his first point in the NHL.

Andrae had the original outlet pass to set up the Flyers in the offensive zone. And then he had the vision to spot Foerster with plenty of open space around him. Unless he takes a dip over the next few games, it’s going to be hard to take him out of the lineup when York returns.

The Flyers will celebrate this one with the moms who joined their sons for the trip. They’ll head back to Philadelphia for a few games, starting with the Blues on Thursday. St. Louis will be hungry for a win after an 8-1 demolishing against Ottawa.