Preview of Flyers at Red Wings, Part 2

Saturday’s match in Philadelphia should have been over just two minutes into the third period, as the score was 5-1.

However, it’s hockey, and so the lead evaporated over the final 18 minutes of regulation until Travis Konecny spared the Flyers utter embarrassment. Being a home-and-home, the storyline carries over.

One moment in particular could set the stage: Anthony Mantha’s “interaction” with Claude Giroux. And that’s all it was— there wasn’t a call, no fights or extra activities as a result. We’re lucky the captain wasn’t seriously injured on the play.

Anthony Mantha with a cheapshot on Claude Giroux pic.twitter.com/9f9ZTELT0H

— Brandon Murphy (@2Murphy8) February 16, 2019

Giroux knocked over Mantha just prior to this altercation, but you can’t do this, especially not to a player on his knees. Salting the wound, Mantha scored two goals— including a nasty deflection with eight seconds on the clock.

Ivan Provorov, paraphrased, said that the Flyers would be taking any opportunity to get physical with Mantha tonight. “Some guys are gonna have to step up on their side,” said Konecny.

As far as play goes, Nolan Patrick earned himself first star honors with a goal and three points. Scott Laughton might have been the most deserving goal scorer of the season, and he finally got his.

The Shayne Gostisbehere of old seemed to be back from the jump, scoring the opening goal. He nearly scored on two identical chances throughout the game, and while there were a couple of hiccups with the puck in the defensive zone, he felt he was used more correctly.

Judging by his postgame comments, Ghost felt better about his usage. “I’m an offensive guy. I need to be put in the right offensive situations, and I think I got that tonight, and I think it really showed.”

The goaltending was, to put it simply, below average. Advanced statistics predicted about three goals for each side by the end of the game, and we got 11. With Talbot still not available, the Flyers could use Hart again, on back to back days.

Jimmy Howard was pulled after allowing his fifth goal, and Jonathan Bernier came in relief and only allowed the overtime winner. The Red Wings have a goalie decision to make as well as Philadelphia.

The game is at 6 P.M. EST, in Detroit.