Something In The Ersson Tonight: The Philadelphia Flyers Dominate the Buffalo Sabres 4-0 - Full Highlights and Analysis

Entering the game, the Buffalo Sabres were the highest scoring team in the NHL, averaging 4 goals per game; not the team you want to face on the tail end of a back-to-back. Despite the short rest, the Flyers came out strong and dominated the first 20 minutes of play, establishing a 3-0 lead heading into the intermission. A sluggish second period was negated by the phenomenal play of rookie Samuel Ersson and an early goal in the third solidified the Flyers 4-0 win.

1. Roll Reversal:

The Philadelphia Flyers haven't been known for their electric starts this season, but they had the Sabres on their heels early. Zach MacEwen drove the net hard and was setup by Patrick Brown from below the goal line. MacEwen, Brown, and Nicolas Deslauriers worked the puck low and outmuscled the Sabres D, with MacEwen jamming home the first goal of the game 2:04 into the first.

It was a welcomed goal early in the game, especially coming off an embarrassing loss and facing a high octane offense in the Sabres. An early goal against could have been a back breaker for the Flyers, but they invoked a little roll reversal and scored a quick one.

The Flyers fourth line put together solid back-to-back games and wore down the Sabres young defense core over the 60 minutes.

2. Samuel Ersson:

The rookie netminder was on fire! Improving his record to 4 -0 on the season, with a 2.3gaa and .924%, Samuel Ersson made several key saves, battled, and looked unflappable between the pipes. His biggest save came at the midway point of the first period, with the Flyers up 1-0. Peyton Krebs snuck out of the penalty box and corralled a loose puck to skate in on an unobstructed breakaway. Krebs momentarily froze Ersson on a fake shot and deked backhand. Ersson reacted quickly and made a momentum changing save.

It was Ersson's first NHL shutout and could have been his second in four starts, if it weren't for a last minute goal against versus the Anaheim Ducks on January 2nd.

In the post game interview, Ersson attempted to deflect his stellar performance with classic hockey cliches, but the smile didn't lie. He deserved the credit for shutting down the top offense in the league.

3. Young Guns Producing:

The Flyers young guns are starting to come alive and carry the offense for the Flyers. Joel Farabee pounced on a fortuitous bounce over the stick of Owen Power and looked to catch Craig Anderson leaning on the cross body shot. Farabee disguised the release well and showed his former 20 goal hands.

Not to be outdone, 23 year old Noah Cates buried a blue collar goal a minute and a half after Farabee's first period tally. Cates went hard on the forecheck and caused enough havoc to force a turnover that Travis Konecny picked up in the top of the zone. Konecny was denied, but Cates outworked the Sabres D to tuck in his 5th of the year.

Wade Allison is a player you have to appreciate and love in the Orange and Black. Allison never takes a shift off, wears his heart on his sleeve, and his dogged effort was rewarded with a tap in goal off an incredible feed from all-star Kevin Hayes. Hayes' patience with the puck drew all the eyes on the ice and Allison was left unattended on the doorstep, scoring his 5th of the year and giving the Flyers all the breathing room they would need.

4. Discipline:

The Flyers only surrendered one power play against the Sabres, as Travis Konecny snuck around a post whistle scrum to take an extra shot at Rasmus Dahlin, who picked up coincidental penalties with Travis Sanheim.

Philadelphia's penalty kill was disruptive and aggressive and didn't give Buffalo much to look at. Ivan Provorov, Laughton, Brown, and a huge blocked shot by Nick Seeler frustrated the leagues top offense with their pressure, quick sticks, and sacrifices.

Provorov didn't land on the scoresheet, but was instrumental in shutting down the Sabres offensive weapons, with his composure, puck management, gap control, and veteran awareness.

Philadelphia recovered quickly on the 24 hour turnaround and played a very sound and disciplined game, which was the key to victory. I can only imagine that message was drilled home by John Tortorella after Sunday night.

Travis Konecny continued to lead the offense with two assists, as he looked to setup his line mate, Joel Farabee, throughout the contest. Farabee has elevated his game of late and finished with 1 goal and 1 assist and should challenge the 20 goal plateau again this year.

The Flyers are currently third last in the Eastern Conference, but only sit 7 points out of the last wild card spot. Finely with a relatively healthy lineup and the young guns starting to ignite, could a three or four game win streak put the Flyers back in the playoff hunt?

The Flyers face division rivals, the Washington Capitals, for their next two games in a home and home Wednesday and Saturday.