Flyers Extend Win Streak Over Blackhawks In Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Flyers extended their win streak over the Chicago Blackhawks in Philadelphia to 16-games. Beating the Blackhawks 4-3 Saturday afternoon at the Wells Fargo Center.

Before the game, interim head coach Mike Yeo wasn’t shy to mention his displeasure with his team’s performance. Something that Yeo felt was because of the Flyers effort.

“We can’t control wins and losses, but what we can control is giving max effort; playing the game the right way for a full 60 minutes,” Yeo said during his pregame availability.

In response to their head coach challenging them, the Flyers responded with another good start. Firing 11 of the first 14-shots in the game at Chicago goaltender Kevin Lankinen. With one making it by Lankinen for the opening goal.

Oskar Lindblom would tip home a Travis Sanheim point shot for his 9th goal of the season. Kevin Hayes, who returned from injury, setup Sanheim with a pass from the corner.

But, that would be all for the Flyers in the 1st period. The Blackhawks would control the final 10-minutes of the period. Including outshooting the Flyers 7-1 over the final 7:32 of the period.

Just 24-seconds into the 2nd period, the Blackhawks would capitalize on that momentum. Scoring their first of three 2nd period goals.

Jonathan Toews would win a faceoff in the Flyers zone. Leaving the puck right for Alex Debrincat, who would fire one by a screened Martin Jones.

The Blackhawks would continue to control the pace of play & continue to pressure the Flyers. Which resulted in their 2nd goal after a Claude Giroux turnover.

Giroux would handcuff Scott Laughton in the offensive zone. Resulting in Chicago breaking out on an odd man rush. Laughton would fail to pick up a trailing Dylan Strome, who fired home a beautiful cross-ice pass from Patrick Kane.

With 4:32 left in the 2nd period, the Flyers would tie the game.

Cam Atkinson would score his team-leading 19th goal of the season. Working a perfect give-and-go with Joel Farabee.

However, with 1:58 remaining in the 2nd period, another Flyers turnover would result in another Blackhawks goal.

Max Willman would turn the puck over at the Flyers blue-line. Dylan Strome would get to the loose puck & would fire two shots on Martin Jones with the second making it by Jones for his 2nd goal of the period.

In the 3rd period, the Flyers would answer the challenge put forth by Mike Yeo.

Derick Brassard would tie the game just 3:09 into the 3rd period. Brassard’s shot from the left dot would trickle through Kevin Lankinen and barely cross the line.

With 8:28 left in the game, Cam Atkinson would give the Flyers the lead again. Scoring his 2nd of the game with a seeing-eye shot from the high slot to the top right corner.

The Blackhawks would make a late push. But, Martin Jones would stop all 7-shots fired by the Blackhawks in the 3rd period to earn the win.

Martin Jones stopped 26 of the 29-shots he faced in the win.

Kevin Hayes Returns

One position the Flyers have been ravished by injuries at is center. Today, the Flyers got a very important center back.

Kevin Hayes, who has missed the last 16-games, made his return to the lineup. On the season, Hayes has 3-goals & 6-assists in 20-games played.

In his return, Hayes had an assist & 3-shots in 16:03 of ice time.

With Sean Couturier out for the season & Claude Giroux more than likely being traded at the deadline, Hayes will be relied on heavily to lead the Flyers over the final two months of the season.

Oskar Lindblom’s Success Continues

In Mike Yeo’s first game as interim head coach of the Flyers, Yeo made one change. That one change was moving Oskar Lindblom to the Flyers top line.

That move has paid off big time for the Flyers & Lindblom. Who has re-found his game.

In his first 21-games, Lindblom has just 1-assist & -10 rating. Under Mike Yeo, in 32-games, Lindblom has 8-goals, 10-assists, & +8 rating.

Today, Lindblom added another goal to that total. Finishing with a goal in 10:36 of ice time.

Flyers Success vs Chicago Continues

The Flyers extended a streak that may be the longest streak in the NHL currently. As well as, in NHL history.

With their 4-3 win today, the Flyers extended their regular season win streak over the Chicago Blackhawks in Philadelphia to 16-games.

A feat that start all the way back on November 9, 1996.

For the past 25-years, the Blackhawks have made 16-trips to Philadelphia in the regular season. All have ended in Flyers wins – 15 in regulation & 1 in overtime.

Result : Blackhawks 3 – Flyers 4 , WIN

Record :   17 – 28 – 10

Next Game : Tuesday 3/8 vs Vegas Golden Knights , Philadelphia PA , 7:00pm

PHOTO CREDIT: Len Redkoles – Getty Images