Flyers Use Big 2nd to Put Stranglehold on Series

For the first time in the series, the Philadelphia Flyers found themselves trailing early and into the second period. And then, as they had done so many times before this season, they rallied and turned the momentum on its head.

Three goals in the second period were the difference, as the Flyers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins, 5-2, in Game 3 to secure a 3-0 series lead on Wednesday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

How It Happened

The Penguins got an early power play and opened the scoring at 4:18. Evgeni Malkin scored his second goal of the series to finish off a tic-tac-toe passing play at the side of the net.

The physicality intensified in the second, with a massive scrum behind the Pittsburgh net that resulted in penalties for every player on the ice. With the Flyers on the ensuing power play, Trevor Zegras tied the game with a one-timer for his first goal of the series at 5:18.

Just under four minutes later, the Flyers took the lead as Rasmus Ristolainen slipped a shot through the five-hole of Stuart Skinner to make it 2-1 at 9:06. Just over two minutes later, Nick Seeler's shot from distance beat a screened Skinner to make it 3-1 at 11:18.

The Penguins cut the lead back to one with another power-play goal at 9:39. Erik Karlsson stepped into a shot that leaked through Dan Vladar to make it 3-2.

The Flyers got the two-goal lead back with a power-play goal of their own at 12:30. Noah Cates made a power move at the side of the net to pull the puck in front and score his first goal of the series to make it 4-2.

Owen Tippett capped off the scoring with an empty-net goal, his first of the playoffs.

Box Score

1st Period

PIT Evgeni Malkin (2) PP (Bryan Rust, Sidney Crosby) 4:18

2nd Period

PHI Trevor Zegras (1) PP (Jamie Drysdale, Porter Martone) 5:18
PHI Rasmus Ristolainen (1) (Noah Juulsen, Sean Couturier) 9:06
PHI Nick Seeler (1) (Juulsen, Couturier) 11:18

3rd Period

PIT Erik Karlsson (1) PP (Rickard Rakell, Thomas Novak) 9:39
PHI Noah Cates (1) PP (Zegras, Drysdale) 12:30
PHI Owen Tippett (1) EN (Unassisted) 18:48

By the Numbers

Shots: Flyers: 29, Penguins: 30
Power Play: Flyers: 2-for-3, Penguins: 2-for-5
Faceoffs: Flyers: 58.2%, Penguins: 41.8%
Goalies: PHI Dan Vladar: 28 saves on 30 shots, PIT Stuart Skinner: 24 saves on 28 shots

Key Performers

⭐ Sean Couturier — The Flyers' captain was a presence from start to finish, making plays at both ends of the ice, and chipped in offensively with two assists. Couturier has really turned back the clock in this series.

⭐⭐ Rasmus Ristolainen — One of Ristolainen's strongest games as a Flyer, he brought physicality and was strong on the puck. He scored his first playoff goal after 13 seasons of trying to reach this point in the season. Safe to say he met the moment.

⭐⭐⭐ Trevor Zegras — Zegras was able to energize the crowd with the game-tying goal that set off a second-period scoring barrage. Zegras played right into the crowd too, both in the stands, and in the penalty box following a scrum.

The Takeaway

That was worth the eight-year wait. The Flyers may have fallen behind and didn't get off to the good start that was hoped for, but they rallied back and took control of both the game and the series. Now they find themselves on the cusp of reaching the second round. It will be the hardest win to get, but they certainly have the Penguins rattled and the city buzzing. They continue to get contributions up and down the lineup, whether it be physicality, defensive, or scoring, as four more players scored their first career playoff goal.