Sean Couturier netted the game-winner a minute into overtime, lifting the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-3 victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday, marking the Flyers’ fourth straight win.
Couturier capitalized on a turnover by Jack Eichel, attempting to pass to Travis Konecny, but the puck took an odd bounce and slid through goalie Logan Thompson’s pads. The goal for a potential missed stoppage was confirmed after a video review.
“That was supposed to go on (Konecny’s) blade, and I don’t know what happened on the way,” Couturier said. “I guess it bounced, but it was definitely a pass.”
The Flyers’ power play, struggling all season, found success by scoring on their first two opportunities.
Owen Tippett extended his goal streak to four games, knocking in a rebound from a Travis Sanheim shot to give the Flyers a 1-0 lead in the first period. Tyson Foerster added his first goal of the season 59 seconds into the second period, redirecting a partially blocked shot by Sanheim to make it 2-0.
Foerster, a 2020 first-round pick expected to be a prolific scorer, broke a 15-game goal drought.
“When you are young and coming into the league and used to scoring a lot, you are going to have stretches like that,” Couturier said of Foerster. “How you play with and without the puck afterward matters. He’s been playing good hockey and doing many things right, so it’s nice to see him finally get rewarded, and now he can loosen up a little bit, and the goals will probably come in bunches.”
In addition to their improved power play, the Flyers blocked 27 shots in the game, following a win on Wednesday at Carolina, where they blocked 33 shots.
“You don’t play if you don’t block shots,” coach John Tortorella said. “Some teams are good at it. It needs to be a mainstay for us. Those types of things create the camaraderie in the locker room.”
Sean Walker scored for Philadelphia with a wrist shot from the blue line, and Carter Hart made 28 saves to secure the win.
“He definitely gave us a chance to win early in the game,” Tortorella said. “He’s been perfect. He’s done it all year. He goes about it. He’s been steady.”
Reigning playoff MVP Jonathan Marchessault scored twice in the second period for Vegas, first with a spinning backhander from the left circle and later on a two-man advantage for his ninth-season goal. William Karlsson also scored for the Golden Knights, snapping a wrist shot that deflected off Flyers defenseman Nick Seeler and past Hart.
The Golden Knights have often had to rally from deficits this season, but coach Bruce Cassidy would prefer they start stronger, as they’ve needed to chase games frequently on this road trip.
“We got what we deserved,” Cassidy said. “You mismanage enough pucks; sooner or later, it will cost you.”
On a winning streak and with a 9-7-1 record, the Flyers are close to getting a few veteran defensemen back. Marc Staal (rib) and Rasmus Ristolainen (lower body) have been practicing with the team.
UP NEXT
- Golden Knights: Continue their road trip at Pittsburgh on Sunday.
- Flyers: Host Columbus on Sunday.
