Caleb Weiler
The Philadelphia Flyers are known for their slow starts.
And even though it’s been only one game so far into this season, I have a feeling that this year will not be one of those years.
The Flyers opened the 2017-18 campaign in San Jose Wednesday night, winning 5-3 behind Wayne Simmonds hat trick against a Sharks team two years removed from the Stanley Cup Final.
The Flyers, starting the season on the west coast for three straight, will also battle the Los Angeles Kings tonight and the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday.
However, the boys in Orange and Black started this year off with statement win in the opener.
The Flyers jumped on the Sharks early, scoring two goals in the first 11:16 of the game. Claude Giroux opened up the scoring, set up by Jakub Voracek on a great pass after he intercepted a miscue from Sharks net minder Martin Jones. Jordan Weal then tacked on a power play goal after a silky feed from Travis Konecny.
The Flyers then gave up two quick goals to end the first period, but would bounce back in the second.
Wayne Simmonds scored the only tally in the second period, his first of the night, off of a deflection from a hammer of a shot from Shayne Gostisbehere.
The third period would lead to another power play goal from the sharks to tie the game, 3-3, but Simmonds came right back with another power play goal, and yet again another deflection. Simmonds would then add an empty net goal to finish off the scoring for the night.
This was an excellent game all around from the Flyers that saw some great stat lines from the players they need to excel if they want any shot at the playoffs.
Both Voracek and Gostisbehere had three assists each, with Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny adding an assist each.
New Flyers goaltender Brian Elliott also had 32 saves on 35 shots to get his first win in the Orange and Black.
The Flyers have a tough game next against a hungry Kings team that missed the playoffs last year who is looking to get off on the right foot this year.
But, for the time being, let’s just enjoy the fact that Flyers are currently in first place in the Metropolitan Division after opening day.
Sidenote: The Penguins lost in overtime to the St. Louis Blues (Brayden Schenn scored!) and Steve Mason got pulled after letting up five goals on 20 shots in Winnipeg against the Leafs; a rough night for the former Flyers goaltender.
Highlights below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkdQ2fr9dRI
You can follow Caleb Weiler on Twitter (@TheBitter_Caleb) and e-mail him at [email protected]. Follow Philly Influencer on Twitter (@PHL_Influencer), Facebook and Instagram.