Larry Henry Jr
The John Tortorella-era began in Philadelphia on Thursday night with the Flyers picking up an important opening-night win over Metropolitan Division rivals New Jersey Devils.
Travis Konecny and Morgan Frost each scored two goals apiece while Tony DeAngelo registered two assists as the Flyers downed the Devils 5-2 at the Wells Fargo Center. It was a positive start to Tortorella’s reign as Flyers head coach, watching as his team pulled away in the second and third periods.
Lindy Ruff’s side struck first though through Alexander Holtz’s power-play goal at the 8:01 mark in the first period. Carter Hart was unable to keep out Holtz’s effort, watching as the puck slipped between his glove and body.
The Flyers answered back in quick fashion though as Wade Allison tied things up just 0:23 later. Ivan Provorov’s shot from the top of the Devils zone caromed to the forward on the right side of the net for an easy tap-in finish.
It’s so good to be back. #FueledByPhilly | @wadeallison11 pic.twitter.com/LrOKyZs8sK
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) October 13, 2022
After both teams went into the first intermission tied at 1-1, the Flyers used a pair of goals in quick succession to swing momentum in their favor. Travis Konecny’s first goal of the season left MacKenzie Blackwood hung out to dry as Konecny’s shot snuck between Brendan Smith’s skates and found the bottom corner of Blackwood’s net.
Frost extended the Flyers lead just 0:23 later in the second period, one-timing a pass from Tanner Laczynski into the roof of Blackwood’s net. It was Kaczynski’s first NHL point in his seventh career game.
🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶#FueledByPhilly | @_morganfrost_10 pic.twitter.com/zD0TICyNfk
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) October 14, 2022
Konecny added his second goal of the night early in the third period, this time scoring on the power play to make it 4-1 Flyers. Damon Severson’s top-shelf finish past Carter Hart cut the Devils deficit to two goals, but Frost would add an empty net finish to give the Flyers a huge victory on home ice.
Him. #NJDvsPHI | #FueledByPhilly pic.twitter.com/0VTuranw0H
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) October 14, 2022
Hart finished the game with 34 saves, while Kevin Hayes and Provorov also finished the night with two assists apiece.
The Flyers next host the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday afternoon.
You can follow Larry Henry on Twitter (@lhenry019) and e-mail him at [email protected].
Subscribe, rate, and review all Philly Influencer podcasts here. Follow Philly Influencer on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.