Travis Konecny’s First Career Hat-Trick helps Flyers Sweep Series

The second and final game in this two-game series between the Flyers and Penguins was played tonight and it had a serious playoff feel to it. Both teams were throwing hits at each other, chirping, and scrumming after the whistle. A lot of penalties both ways, classic Flyers vs Penguins hockey.

PLAYOFF HOCKEY BABY

— TLY (@TheLibertyYell) January 16, 2021

First Period

The first period kicked off with the Penguins taking some runs at the Flyers. At least four Flyers were shaken up early on in this game, including Sean Couturier who would exit the game 44 seconds in and wouldn’t return.

Even though the Flyers lost their first line center, that didn’t stop them from getting the offense going. Konecny would get a tap-in powerplay goal on a beautiful feed from Voracek to go up 1-0.

That Konnection. #AnyttimeAnywhere | #PITvsPHI pic.twitter.com/aA88PCg8A3

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 16, 2021

The floodgates opened on the Penguins once again, Nolan Patrick creating havoc out in front giving TK a greasy one for his second of the contest.

TK: 2
PIT: 0#AnytimeAnywhere | #PITvsPHI pic.twitter.com/eBLlOUJ9eb

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 16, 2021

Voracek then fed the puck to Provorov who sniped it top shelf to end Tristan Jarry’s night. 3-0.

Franchise defenseman.
pic.twitter.com/qxGQkMIC9F

— TLY (@TheLibertyYell) January 16, 2021

This is where the Flyers momentum would end though as Crosby followed Provorov’s goal up with a powerplay goal, and then Tanev buried a rebound past Hart to get within one.

For the rest of the period it felt like the Flyers were weathering the storm, taking penalties left and right. Luckily they escaped.

Second Period

The Penguins really started to seize momentum in the second. Multiple powerplays for the Flyers got killed with ease and they were just quicker to the puck. The Flyers defense were committing breakdowns at an alarming rate leading to Pittsburgh odd-man rushes; but Carter Hart stood tall.

Hart’s in the zone! Calm, cool and collected. 💪🏻

— Bernie Parent (@bernieparent) January 16, 2021

Hart kept the Flyers in front of this game, bailing us out of sloppy hockey and Hayes would get into it with Malkin at the end.

Third Period

Carter Hart was phenomenal all game, and definitely in the third period. In a game that had a playoff feel to it, with momentum swinging back and forth, Hart stood tall.

With around 7 minutes remaining, the Flyers would counter a Penguins rush resulting in another Konecny tap-in goal for his first career hat-trick. What a night for TK.

TravTrick. #AnytimeAnywhere | #PITvsPHI pic.twitter.com/SDHjo7V48j

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 16, 2021

That would prove to be the dagger as Oskar Lindblom cashed in an empty net goal and the Flyers closed this game out 5-2. A gutsy finish for the Flyers who were without their first line center.

Quick Thoughts

– Giroux, Voracek, and JVR all had impressive games, good to see the veterans going early.

– I’m surprised it took Konecny this long to get a hat-trick with how good he is, but nonetheless it was awesome to see him get that.

– Carter Hart is the story of this game without a doubt, even with the hat-trick. A phenomenal performance from 79.

– Defense kind of scared me in that game but I still need to see more.

– Nolan had another impressive night, getting an assist on TK’s second.

– Still no update on Sean Couturier. Please be okay Couts.

2-0-0. Bring on Buffalo.

2-0-0. #AnytimeAnywhere pic.twitter.com/UTi8CBn0On

— TLY (@TheLibertyYell) January 16, 2021

Mandatory Credit: Philadelphia Flyers