Photo: @NHLFlyers
The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins by a score of 4-3 (OT) in the 2019 NHL Stadium Series at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, on Saturday night. The game had a sellout crowd of 69,620, the fifth-largest crowd in NHL history.
This was the fifth outdoor game for the Penguins. They beat the Buffalo Sabres by a score of 2-1 in a shootout in the 2008 NHL Winter Classic at New Era Field, home of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills; fell to the Washington Capitals by a score of 3-1 in the 2011 NHL Winter Classic at Heinz Field, home of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers; fell to the Chicago Blackhawks by a score of 5-1 in the 2014 NHL Stadium Series at Soldier Field, home of the NFL’s Chicago Bears; and beat the Flyers by a score of 4-2 in the 2017 NHL Stadium Series at Heinz Field for a record of 2-2-0 in outdoor games.
This was the fourth outdoor game for the Flyers. They fell to the Boston Bruins by a score of 2-1 in overtime at the 2010 NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park, home of the MLB’s Boston Red Sox, and fell to the New York Rangers by a score of 3-2 at Citizens Bank Park, home of the MLB’s Philadelphia Phillies, before falling 4-2 to the Penguins two years ago for a record of 0-3-1 in outdoor games.
The Penguins entered tonight’s game one point behind the Carolina Hurricanes for the final wild-card spot in the East with a game in hand and two behind the Columbus Jackets for the third spot in the Metropolitan Division with each team playing 61 games.
The Flyers entered tonight’s game off of two consecutive regulation losses and nine points behind the Hurricanes for the final wild-card spot with a game in hand.
Starting Goaltenders
Goaltender Brian Elliott (6-7-0, .916 save percentage, 2.51 goals-against average, one shutout this season) started for the Flyers.
Goaltender Matt Murray (18-10-1, .913 save percentage, 2.94 goals-against average, three shutouts) started for the Penguins.
First Period
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby backhanded a shot past Elliott on a breakaway after a turnover by the Flyers in the defensive zone to open the scoring 7:59 in and make it 1-0 Penguins.
Sid with a little “how do ya do!?” #StadiumSeries pic.twitter.com/mYUX6JXhL1
— NHL (@NHL) February 24, 2019
Center Sean Couturier one-timed forward Oskar Lindblom’s pass from the left wall in the slot to tie the game for his 25th goal of the season at 12:06 elapsed time.
Less than 10 to go in the first and the @NHLFlyers just made this even more entertaining. #StadiumSeries pic.twitter.com/YddgNOluzV
— NHL (@NHL) February 24, 2019
The Penguins led 18-8 in shots after one.
Second Period
After defenseman Justin Schultz missed the net at first, Crosby got it right back to him and Schultz made no mistake that time, hammering it from the right circle 10:01 into the period to give Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead.
Took an extra try, but the @penguins are back on top in the #StadiumSeries. pic.twitter.com/P6TKpPsTgC
— NHL (@NHL) February 24, 2019
The Penguins led 30-17 in shots after 40 minutes, including 12-9 in the middle frame.
Third Period
Center Evgeni Malkin blasted a shot from long-range that Elliott couldn’t hold to in his glove and the puck bounced up and trickled behind him as the Pens’ doubled their lead 6:29 into the period.
At #StadiumSeries, anything can happen. Right, @emalkin71geno? pic.twitter.com/LNnIKv829K
— NHL (@NHL) February 24, 2019
Forward James Van Riemsdyk tappen in the puck into a wide open net on a rebound off of Voracek’s shot to make it a one-goal game with 3:04 to go.
Oh boy.
Less than three minutes to go and the @NHLFlyers are within one. #StadiumSeries pic.twitter.com/TcCVJzgZZT
— NHL (@NHL) February 24, 2019
Voracek tied the game with 19.7 seconds left throwing the puck on Murray from a sharp angle. The puck went through his five-hole and in.
The Penguins led 40-35 in shots, though the Flyers led 18-10 in shots during the final frame.
Overtime
Forward Claude Giroux would win it for the Flyers 1:59 into OT sniping it through the wickets of Murray.
Game on the line and @28CGiroux just knows how to make it happen. #StadiumSeries pic.twitter.com/UN23sELNEm
— NHL (@NHL) February 24, 2019
Pittsburgh led 3-2 in shots during overtime.
Scenes From Philly
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https://www.instagram.com/p/BuP7ZPgly5F/
By Harrison Brown
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