Flyers vs Lightning: Observations - Insights - Highlights & More

Andrei Vasilevskiy has established himself as the NHL's best goalie over the past half decade. Vasilevskiy won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021, with the Tampa Bay Lightning; taking home the Conn Smyth in �21 as the playoff MVP. Vasilevskiy won the Vezina trophy, as the leagues top netminder, in 2019 and was a runner up in both 2018 and 2020.

Carter Hart was, and still is, widely regarded as the future in net for the Philadelphia Flyers. Hart was selected in the second round of the 2016 NHL entry draft, 48th overall and infused energy back into the Flyers organization. As a 20 year old, Hart played up to the hype in his first two seasons, posting a .917 save percentage with a 2.83 gaa in 2018-19 and a .914 save percentage with a 2.42 gaa the following year. Injuries to Hart and the Flyers top players, suspect defense, passive systems, and Hart struggling to find his confidence at times, lead to Hart posting rather pedestrian numbers the past two years.

Hart and Vasilevskiy both made big saves at key moments of the game tonight and looked sharp throughout. Vasilevskiy stole a goal from Kevin Hayes in the slot, on a great feed from Konecny and Hart robbed Killorn in the on the power play, which seemed to spark the Flyers.

Hart won the battle in the end and beat one of the leagues best. Hart stopped 37 of 39 shots and battled to make a lot of those saves.

Vasilevskiy allowed 3 goals on 24 shots.

2. Special Teams The Difference:

Steven Stamkos was able to capitalize on the Lightnings first two power plays of the game, both on one timer shots.

Kevin Hayes overcommitted on the strong side and Stamkos was allowed to skate untouched into the slot for a clean look on Hart. The entry looked like a set play to free up Stamkos as the trailer.

Stamkos wasn't done though. Zack MacEwen picked up a questionable extra minor during a post whistle scuffle and Nikita Kucherov found Stamkos on a cross ice one timer, to make it 2-0.

Often criticized for his lofty contract, there is no denying James Van Riemsdyk remains one of the best net front power play weapons in the NHL; tipping a shot past Vasilevskiy to tie the contest. The Flyers power play didn't look like it was generating high quality opportunities, but Kevin Hayes found a shooting lane and let JVR do the rest.

3. The Curious Case of Zack MacEwen: Part II

We knew he wouldn't be in the AHL for long. MacEwen got the call to rejoin the Flyers for their three game road trip, after posting a goal and two assists in two games with the Phantoms.

During training camp it seemed John Tortorella didn't have a feel for Zack MacEwen's game and stated he didn't know where he fit into the Flyers lineup.

"He's played better. I think as the camp's gone on, I think he's played better in the exhibition games. I don't know, I don't know where he fits." John Tortorella

MacEwen looked effective, enthusiastic, and engaged on the forth line, leading the Flyers with 7 hits and registering 3 shots in 13:30 of ice time. Tortorella could have limited MacEwen's minutes after a poor penalty in the offensive zone, but put MacEwen out on his next shift, showing confidence in Zach.

MacEwen is a considerable improvement over Hayden Hodgson and Olle Lycksell on the fourth line.

4. John Tortorella's Only Letter Man Continues To Impress:

Scott Laughton continued his solid two way play by picking up a juicy Vasilevskiy rebound and snapping it home. Morgan Frost picked up his first helper of the year and 3 point of the season, while Egor Zamula added his first assist.

5. Contributions From Throughout:

In order for the Philadelphia Flyers to be effective and successful this season, they will have to rely on their entire lineup for production.

The Flyers do not have the elite 100 point scoring threats that many teams in the Metro division have in their arsenal.

A player that impressed in his brief stint with the Flyers last year and a player who John Tortorella spoke highly of in training camp, came up big. Noah Cates forced two turnovers in a matter of seconds and surprised Vasilevskiy on a quick release. The tally turned out to be the game winner and helped solidify Cates in the Flyers lineup.

The Flyers will have some decision to make when Sean Couturier and Cam Atkinson are healthy and set to return.

The Flyers start the season 3-0 and look like a completely different team under John Tortorella. Pundits of the Flyers have said the games against the Devils and Canucks weren't a «real test» and wait until they face Tampa and Florida. Tampa is in the books with a character 3-2 comeback win. Can the Flyers start the season 4 and 0 with another win in the Sunshine State? There's no reason they can't!