Flyers' youth look largely unfazed in playoff debuts

It was no secret that the Flyers possess many players getting their first taste of postseason hockey. It's especially glaring against a Penguins team where many have been there and done that multiple times. Philadelphia had 10 players suiting up who had never made it to this point before. And two of them were still in the infancy of their NHL careers.

It was the veterans who kicked things off and brought the team into the fight, namely Sean Couturier and Travis Sanheim. Couturier ended the night with a postseason career-high seven hits. He had five of them before the first period was even over. And none were bigger than the blistering hit he laid on Yegor Chinakhov.

Sanheim, who scored the goal that gave the Flyers the lead for good, also drew pleasure in getting under the skin of the Penguins. A key to defeating them is finding ways to get their stars out of their element. While Evgeni Malkin scored the initial tying goal for the Penguins, he can come unglued if frustrated enough.

But it was Sidney Crosby who took two rather undisciplined penalties. His second came at the worst moment for the Penguins, leaving them without their captain in the final minute of the game. It was Sanheim who gave a couple of cross checks before Crosby turned around and engaged back, sending both to the box. The Flyers gladly took that trade even if the Penguins brought the game within one goal seconds later.

And while the two veterans played important roles for the Flyers, it was the youth that largely didn't show their inexperience. There were certainly some nerves, and that was to be expected. But they grew more comfortable as the game wore on and delivered when needed.

Flyers youth provides key moments in victory

Jamie Drysdale has been one of the Flyers' most improved players this season. He has taken some time to develop, but has looked the part of a top defenseman. He has been getting rewarded with more ice time and responsibilities, and it's paying off. 14 of his 32 points came in late January, around the time he was promoted into the top four.

He kicked things off for the Flyers, thanks in part to another one of the team's youngsters. Denver Barkey hasn't been afraid to engage in physical play. You'd be hard-pressed to believe that he is only 5'10" based on the way he plays. He'll go into the corners with larger players and come out with the puck more often than not.

He did it earlier in the contest against Elmer Söderblom, who is nearly a foot taller. That drew some excitement from his teammates. And after getting the puck to Trevor Zegras in the corner, Barkey made his way to the front of the net, giving Drysdale the screen he needed to put the puck between the legs of the moving Stuart Skinner for the game's opening goal.

While it was Sanheim who gave the Flyers the lead halfway through the third, they were going to need another. The Penguins were going to throw everything they had to not drop the opening game in their building. That was until another youngster had his postseason moment.

Porter Martone has only played 10 NHL games since his college season came to an end less than a month ago. He jumped into the Flyers' lineup at a crucial point. There have been some moments where it's clear he's a 19-year-old, and that's not a surprise. However, he has also provided much-needed offense. In his nine games prior, Martone had four goals and 10 points. He went pointless in just two games and finished with a six-game point streak.

And he provided one of the most electric moments of the night. Skating into the zone, Martone put on the brakes to lose Noel Acciari. He circled back around the faceoff dot to regroup and unleashed a wicked wrist shot that went over the glove of Skinner and bar down.

The Flyers' youth passed the early test. And with their playoff debuts behind them, they can only get better from here.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow