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Wrap: Flyers Overcome Steep Early Deficit, Beat Pens 4-3 |
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The Philadelphia Flyers overcame an early 3-0 deficit to chip away period at a time and ultimately emerge with a 4-3 regular win over the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday night.
For the second time since his return from COVID-19 protocol, Flyers team captain Claude Giroux led the way. Playing center on a new line with Oskar Lindblom (two assists) and Nicolas Aube-Kubel (two assists), Giroux scored the second period goal that narrowed the deficit to 2-1, assisted on the game-tying goal in the third period.
Closely spaced goals by Kris Letang (5th goal of the season), ex-Flyer Mark Friedman (1st NHL goal) and Jared McCann (4th) built a 3-0 lead for Pittsburgh before the game was even four-minutes old. At 11:32 of the first period, Sean Couturier (6th) got one back on the power play.
The Flyers had numerous good chances over the second period but trailed 3-2 entering the third period after Giroux (2nd) scored a rebound goal with 13:11 remaining in the frame. In the third period, a Giroux shot that went in off Scott Laughton (6th) tied the game at 13:37 and then Giroux finished off the comeback with 2:08 left.
Brian Elliott battled hard to make 26 saves on 29 shots to earn the win. Tristan Jarry stopped 31 of 35 saves in a losing cause.
The Flyers went 1-for-2 on the power play and 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.
Sidney Crosby returned to the Penguins' lineup for this game after two days in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol. Meanwhile, Flyers' right winger Joel Farabee was placed in COVID-19 protocol. Friedman and Flyers defenseman Phil Myers each suffered apparent upper-body (seemingly head) injuries in the second period. Neither finished the game for their respective team.
The last time the Flyers overcame a 3-0 deficit to win in regulation was back December 21, 2015, against the St Louis Blues (4-3 final).
For highlights, analysis and more from this game, see the Postgame 5 on the Flyers' official website. The Penguins and Flyers meet yet again at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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