PHILADELPHIA – It’s safe to say that a season ago, Monday night’s winning goal by the Flyers probably wouldn’t have happened.
For one thing, captain Sean Couturier was stuck somewhere deep in former coach John Tortorella’s doghouse.
And for another, he most likely still wasn’t 100% health-wise from a pair of back surgeries.
But things have changed for the better. Tortorella is gone and so are Couturier’s back problems.
So when winger Trevor Zegras, standing in the left corner, spotted Couturier open in front of the Florida net with 4:10 to play, the outcome was somewhat predictable.
Couturier scored to break a 2-2 tie and the Flyers were on their way to a 5-2 victory, their first win of the season to open their home schedule on the right skate.
The decision gave coach Rick Tocchet his first win with the Flyers and evened the team’s season record at 1-1-1.
Dan Vladar, who played well in the initial loss to the Panthers, got the start in goal for the Flyers and once again stood tall against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions.
The Flyers, who lost to the Panthers, 2-1, in Florida last Thursday, learned some valuable lessons from that game.
Couturier, who finished with four points, led the charge. He looks like a different player.
“You will have to ask him if he [Zegras] actually saw me,” Couturier said with a grin. “When it came, I just shot it as hard as I could.”
Zegras can already appreciate Couturier’s skill level.
“You just look up for a split-second and see where the guys are,” he explained. As for the win: “It’s pretty special. The fans’ atmosphere was awesome.
“He [Couturier] is amazing. He does so many little things right. I think our first game he had something like 34 shifts. I’m a younger guy, he’s an awesome guy to look to. He taught me a ton on faceoffs. How to play the game the right way. He’s a great leader for the group for sure.”
As for the past few years, Couturier really only wants to look to the future.
“I feel good, starting to get my confidence back,” Couturier said.
A breakaway goal by Couturier, set up by Travis Konecny’s extension pass, gave the Flyers a 2-0 lead at 15:47 of the second. Konecny spotted Couturier open at the far blue line. Couturier skated in and sent a rising shot past Daniil Tarasov.
“I got caught a little off-guard,” Couturier said. “I didn’t think I was going on the ice and then TK [Konecny] yelled at me late. I was just there behind them. I was late but I guess the hockey gods were on my side there.”
Florida got that one back on a short-handed goal with 36.7 seconds left in the period. The Flyers got sloppy around their own net and Sam Reinhart poked a shot under Vladar.
In the third, a power-play goal by Sam Bennett with 9:45 to play tied it at 2-2.
Tyson Foerster’s goal at 8:54 of the first period gave the Flyers a 1-0 lead.
Foerster picked up a pass from Couturier out of the left corner, skated to the left hash marks and beat Tarasov with a low shot.
That gave Foerster at least one point in each of the Flyers’ first three games.
Foerster couldn’t say enough about his captain after the game.
“He played great tonight, a great leader,” Foerster said. “Got the game-winner.”
Tocchet liked the way his team didn’t put its heads down after Florida tied the score late in the game.
“You can go either way,” Tocchet said. “You can feel sorry for yourself. I forget which line went out but we gained momentum again. Our fourth line did a nice job. You can get back in the game. I didn’t see us sink. That helped.
“I’m proud of the way we hung in there.”
Parent honored
The Flyers began their home opener with a special ceremony to honor former Hall of Fame goaltender Bernie Parent, who passed away Sept. 21. His No. 1 uniform number was painted into the ice behind both nets. In addition, all Flyers wore a commemorative shoulder patch with the No. 1 inscribed. Further ceremonies are planned for other home games in late November.
Short shots
The Flyers return to action on Thursday when they play host to the Winnipeg Jets.
Wayne Fish is a freelance writer. Follow his coverage at www.flyingfishhockey.com
Source: Berkshire mont