The Philadelphia Flyers saw their four-game post All-Star break winning streak come to an end on Thursday night as they dropped a 4-3 overtime decision to the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. However, in addition to extend their point streak to five games, the Flyers gained one additional point over the New Jersey Devils in the battle for an automatic playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division.
The Devils, whom the Flyers will play on Saturday night in the Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, sustained a 2-1 home loss to the LA Kings at the Prudential Center. As a result, the Flyers (29-19-7) now have a seven-point lead over third-place New Jersey (27-22-4) and eight points over the fifth-place New York Islanders (22-18-13) in the Metropolitan Division.
In Thursday's game in Toronto, the Flyers played well in the first period, the opening 10 minutes of the middle frame and the majority of the third period. Philly never got possession of the puck in a 54-second sudden death overtime.
Ultimately, Toronto's contingent of stars proved to be just a little too much for Philly. Auston Matthews recorded a natural hat trick with two even strength tallies and a power play marker in the second period (goals 43, 44, and 45 on the season for the Rocket Richard Trophy leader). Mitch Marner racked up three assists on the night (36th, 37th and 38th helpers of 2023-24). William Nylander had a goal (27th) and an assist, including the OT winner.
The Flyers scored two of their three goals on special teams, and Travis Konecy notched a goal (PPG, 26th) and an assist for Philly. Travis Sanheim (5th) opening the scoring in the first period by scoring the Flyers' NHL-leading 13th shorthanded goal of the season, just a few seconds after Konecny hit the post on a shorthanded breakaway. In the third period, the Flyers forechecking and hard work was capped off by a Garnet Hathaway goal (5th) that was followed 61 seconds later by Konecny's game-tying rebound goal on the power play at 14:14.
Ersson stopped 24 of 28 shots in a losing cause. Samsonov earned the win with 29 saves on 32 shots.
Cam York left the game in the third period after receiving a hi behind the Toronto net from Samuel Benoit. Nicolas Deslauriers came to York's defense, dropping the gloves with Benoit. After the Flyers killed off Deslauriers' instigation minor, they seemed to gain momentum.
For a full recap, period-by-period synopses, analysis, highlights and stats, see the Postgame 5 on PhiladelphiaFlyers.com: Click here.
The Flyers will have a Friday afternoon (2 p.m. ET) practice at MetLife Stadium on Friday. On Saturday at 8 p.m. ET, the Flyers and Devils will clash outdoors in their Stadium Series Game. Each of the first two games of the four-game season series between the Flyers and Devils have been decided in overtime. Each team has won one. Following the Stadium Series, the Flyers and Devils will play each other for the final time in the regular season on April 13 at the Wells Fargo Center.