Flyers rip off three goals in 26 seconds to run away from Devils originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
So much for those slow starts.
The Flyers erupted for four first-period goals Saturday night en route to a resounding 6-3 win over the Devils at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Their second, third and fourth goals all came within a span of 26 seconds, sending the crowd into an absolute frenzy, perhaps the loudest it has been here this season.
According to Flyers media information, it marked the franchise’s fastest three-goal spurt ever.
“I’ve lived it here, this crowd,” Rick Tocchet said. “When they get something to cheer about, it’s loud.”
Prior to Saturday night, the Flyers had been outscored 9-1 in the first period over their last six games.
Tyson Foerster took the roof off the building with back-to-back goals in 17 seconds to make it 4-1. The 23-year-old winger was asked if that was the loudest he had heard the building in his time here.
“Yeah,” Foerster said, “and when Anaheim came to town [last season].”
Noah Cates started the onslaught with a game-tying 1-1 goal. Matvei Michkov then gave the Flyers the lead 3:06 minutes later on a breakaway.
“Some good shots, some nice plays,” Tocchet said. “It was a good start.”
Bobby Brink added a goal in the second period. Trevor Zegras put New Jersey away with a third-period goal.
“It was nice to have that killer instinct,” Tocchet said.
Cates (one goal, two assists), Foerster (two goals) and Sean Couturier (two assists) finished with multi-point games.
“I think we worked pretty well on the forecheck and created chances off of that,” Couturier said.
The Flyers (11-6-3) have picked up at least a point in 12 of their last 16 games (10-4-2).
This was the first of three matchups between the Flyers and Devils (13-7-1) this season. New Jersey was without star forward Jack Hughes, who’s recovering from finger surgery.
• The offense was nice for the Flyers, who have struggled to score in parts of the season.
But through 20 games, the Flyers have given up just 2.80 goals per game.
“We’re hungry to learn and keep building,” Cates said. “That’s the best part about it.”
Last season, the Flyers were 8-10-2 through 20 games and had surrendered 3.50 goals per game.
The efforts defensively and in net have been huge.
“I’ve seen some really good things,” Tocchet said. “Obviously the goalies have been really good for us.
“If we can continue to play well without the puck, give our goalies sight lines, let them play half the net, then we can work on other stuff. I do like the play without the puck.”
• Dan Vladar converted 32 saves on 35 shots.
He made an excellent third-period stop to deny a 2-on-1 opportunity for the Devils. It was a big save because a goal there would have provided New Jersey some life. But Vladar kept it a 5-2 game.
“Just timely saves with him has been this whole season,” Cates said. “He has just been huge for us — in the locker room, on the ice. Just stability for us to play our game.”
The Devils scored their third goal later in the final stanza, but it came with just 6:35 minutes left. Zegras then padded the Flyers’ lead back to three.
New Jersey opened the scoring with a power play goal. It didn’t score again until the second period when the Flyers had a commanding 5-1 lead.
Devils netminder Jake Allen had a rough first period. He stopped 23 of 29 shots on the night.
• Nikita Grebenkin was a healthy scratch for the fourth time in the last five games. More on that here.
Egor Zamula entered the lineup for Noah Juulsen, who sat for the first time this season. Playing alongside Nick Seeler, Zamula was on the ice for five of the Flyers’ goals. He finished as a plus-5 and so did Seeler.
“Overall, the team played very good,” Zamula said. … “Vladdy was outstanding, some key saves.”
• After holding a celebration of life Friday night for Bernie Parent, the Flyers saluted their legendary goaltender before Saturday night’s game.
A video tribute was played and a replica of Parent’s iconic white mask was placed on the Flyers’ net.
The Hockey Hall of Famer died Sept. 21 at the age of 80.
• Next up for the Flyers is a four-game road trip, which starts Monday against the Lightning (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP).
