PHILADELPHIA – Ever since the start of training camp, the Flyers’ power play has been a hot topic.
Or perhaps cold is a better way of putting it.
Anyway, the Flyers entered Monday night’s game against Seattle with the lowest-ranked power play in the NHL at just 6.7 percent.
In this particular game, everything went right. The Flyers produced their first two power-play goal game of the season and that sparked them to a 5-2 win over the Kraken at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Dan Vladar started his second straight game in goal for the Flyers and picked up the win as the team raised its record to 3-2-1 after an 0-1-1 start.
Owen Tippett and Tyson Foerster led the way with two goals apiece. Both of Foerster’s goals came with the man advantage.
Did the Flyers change anything with their power play or was it just a matter of execution and a few fortunate bounces?
“I think bounces,” Foerster said. “We’ve had some good looks the last couple games. Tonight they just went in.”
Added coach Rick Tocchet: “I like the movement. That’s been good.”
Foerster only had one goal in the Flyers’ first six games. But he’s been involved in a lot of plays on offense and he’s a noteworthy plus-5 to start the season.
“Hopefully I can produce more,” he said. “And confidence for sure.”
Foerster had to overcome an elbow infection suffered in last May’s World Championships which required surgery and affected his offseason training.
He looks pretty strong now though.
“Yeah, it was pretty uncertain in the middle of the summer there,” he said. “But the trainers did a great job and I’m happy to be back.”
Tocchet likes what he’s seen of Foerster of late.
“He’s such a smart player,” the coach said. “He’s an all-situational guy. A couple of those shots were elite.”
It was the Kraken’s first loss in regulation time this season.
Tippett has played on a line with Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny and that seemed to lift everyone’s game.
“As long as we stay connected, the chemistry comes a little easier,” Tippett said. “Obviously the more you play together, the more chemistry you’re going to get.”
So far, Tippett’s play has been a pleasant revelation to his coach.
“In the short time I’ve been here, he’s been a pleasure to coach,” Tocchet said. “He’s taken on a real leader role. That’s what I see.”
Couturier’s game has been revived as well with Tippett on his flank.
“We’ve played together at times in the past,” he said. “And ‘Tip’ is hot right now. Just try and get him the puck. . .then (he) uses his shot, his speed. He’s playing really well. I think we’re just trying to spend some O-zone time, get some pucks to the net and capitalize.”
The Flyers broke the game open with a three-goal second period blitz.
Konecny kicked things off with his first goal of the season at 4:59 for a 3-1 lead. Defenseman Egor Zamula deked past a defender on the left side, broke for the net and spotted Konency open at the far post.
Then, just 33 seconds later, Foerster tipped in a Cam York shot while the Flyers were up a man.
After Seattle cut into the lead with a power-play goal at 8:33, Tippett restored the three-goal margin by finishing off a Couturier assist.
After a rough start, the Flyers bounced back with a pair of goals to take a 2-1 lead to the first intermission.
The headline-maker was a power-play goal by Foerster at 13:19.
Foerster found some space in the left circle, spotted an opening in upper far corner of the net and beat goaltender Joey Daccord with a rising shot to give the home team the two-goal edge.
Seattle took a 1-0 lead at 7:16 on a long shot by defenseman Cale Fleury. Vladar appeared to be screened on the play.
The Flyers didn’t need long to respond. Daccord fumbled the puck at the side of the net. Philly took control. Nick Seeler’s entry was tipped into the net by Tippett.
>‘Mad Russian’ drops the mitts
The Flyers have had a number of Russian-born players over the years and a few of them have shown a willingness to engage in some fisticuffs.
However, the Flyers’ latest entry might be the most physical of them all. Rookie Nikita Grebenkin dropped the gloves with Fleury and got the best of a short first-period skirmish.
That’s something to keep an eye on.
>Short shots
The Flyers’ string of five straight home games comes to end on Thursday night when they visit old pal Claude Giroux and the Senators in Ottawa. . .The Flyers’ third-period comeback in Saturday night’s 2-1 win over the Minnesota Wild was their first late comeback of the season. Last year they rallied 10 times in the third period which tied for the NHL lead with Calgary and Montreal. . .The Flyers had 27 shots for the game, a season high, eclipsing their previous best of 23.
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