The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Florida Panthers, 5-2, Monday night at the Xfinity Mobile Arena for their first win of the season.
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It was a lot of firsts tonight as the Philadelphia Flyers took the ice for their home opener against the Florida Panthers.
The arena has a new name, Xfinity Mobile Arena. Gritty has a new entrance. The Flyers have a new bench boss, Rick Tocchet. It felt like a breathe of fresh air as the Flyers look to take the next step in their rebuild.
Coming off their 0-1-1 opening road-trip, a heartbreaking end I may add, the Flyers didn’t disappoint in-front of their home fans.
Tyson Foerster opened the scoring for the Flyers mid-way through the 1st period. He has points in each of the first three games.
His first goal of the season was set up by the forecheck of Sean Couturier, who caused a turnover in the corner before sliding the puck to Foerster.
The goal capped off the Flyers early pressure on the Panthers. It was a role reversal of last Thursday’s opening night 3-2 loss in Sunrise Florida.
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Couturier would get his second point of the game late in the 2nd period. His first goal of the season would give the Flyers a 2-0 lead.
In the midst of a bad line change, the Panthers couldn’t get the puck deep into the Flyers zone. Travis Sanheim chipped the puck up the boards to Travis Konecny, who sprung Couturier in on the break away.
But, he wouldn’t stop there.
After Florida tied the game mid-way through the 3rd period, the Flyers went too work. Again, being led by their captain.
Trevor Zegras would somehow find a seem through the tired Florida defense to find Couturier for his second of the game. It was a highlight reel style first point in a Flyers uniform for Zegras.
His fourth and final point would come on the Flyers second empty net goal.
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Dan Vladar was spectacular in his Flyers home debut. Following up his impressive debut in the season opener last Thursday with an even better performance tonight.
He finished with 24 saves in his first career win as a Flyer.
Bobby Brink scored the first empty netter. It should have been goals in three straight for Brink, who thought he scored the game winner on Saturday in Carolina.
The Flyers return to the ice on Thursday when they host the Winnipeg Jets at 7:00 pm.
PHOTO CREDIT: Emilee Chinn – Getty Images
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