5 Observations: Flyers Rally Late, Win on Tony DeAngelo’s OT Goal

The Philadelphia Flyers found their way in San Jose.

Playing their first game after the holiday break, the Flyers started a three-game West Coast trip with a dramatic late comeback Thursday.

Defenseman Tony DeAngelo scored with 3:50 left in overtime, lifting the Flyers to a 4-3 win over the dazed San Jose Sharks. Philly overcame a 3-1 third-period deficit by getting goals from Owen Tippett and the blistering Travis Konecny.

DeAngelo, 27, had three points and was plus-3.

Tomas Hertl, a certified Flyers killer, scored a pair of goals to pace the Sharks (11-19-7).

The Flyers (12-17-7) had been 0-6 in overtime games this season before DeAngelo deposited a pass from Ivan Provorov on a three-on-one.

Here are five quick observations:

1. Travis Konecny deserves to be an All-Star.

The 25-year-old right winger continued his torrid pace, scoring a pair of goals.

With 2:05 left in regulation and goalie Sam Ersson pulled for an extra skater, Konecny’s shot deflected off a Shark and into the net to tie the score at 3-3.

Earlier in the game, Konecny scored on a deflection to tie the score at 1-all midway through the first.

Konecny has 17 goals in 30 games — one more than his total in 79 games last season. He has 12 goals in his last 16 games.

“We’re  just trying to play hard, play simple, and it led to some chances,” Konecny said after the first period on NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Tonytime. #PHIvsSJS | #FueledByPhilly pic.twitter.com/J9MrVh1sty

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) December 30, 2022

2. Goaltender Sam Ersson was much better than in his NHL debut.

Six nights earlier, a jittery Ersson allowed five goals on 30 shots in his first NHL game, a 6-5 loss in Carolina.

On Thursday, he seemed more sure of himself as he notched his first NHL win.

Ersson, 23, stopped 25 of 28 shots, and his defense gave him more support than in Carolina, keeping most shots on the perimeter.

The Swede made six stops — including a highlight-film save on Logan Couture — on a Sharks’ power play late in the second period. That kept the Flyers within 2-1 heading into the third.

“He played a great game,” DeAngelo said. “That save on Couture probably changed the game.”

Kevin Labanc made it 3-1 just 52 seconds with into the third period, beating Ersson with a shot from deep inside the left circle off the rush.

But the Flyers rallied and scored the last three goals.

First-career win and Player of the Game honors for Samuel Ersson! #PHIvsSJS | #FueledByPhilly pic.twitter.com/UZMv6lDzcJ

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) December 30, 2022

3. Owen Tippett keeps finding the net.

The big right winger got the Flyers within 3-2 with 14:03 left in regulation as he converted a slick behind-the-net pass from James van Riemsdyk.

It was Tippett’s 11th goal (in 31 games), a new career high. He has five goals in his last 11 games.

4. Noah Cates may need to return to his natural position, left wing.

Cates, 23, has played solid defense, but the Flyers need more.

Converted from left wing to center, Cates has not scored a goal in the last 20 games. He was moved to left wing in the third period Thursday, and the move may not be temporary.

Cates had one shot in the game. In 36 games this season, he has three goals.

5. Sharks’ power play dominated.

The the first two periods, San Jose’s power play easily moved the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers’ overmatched penalty kill.

The first PP ended with Couture redirecting a pass past Ersson from in close, putting San Jose ahead, 2-1, with 11:31 to go in the second. Later in the second, the Sharks swarmed the net on their second power play, but Ersson had all the answers.

Breakaways

John Tortorella scrambled the lines in the third period, including a shift of Kevin Hayes from left wing to center. … Cam York (minus-1, one shot in 18:55) moved to the top pairing with Ivan Provorov. The left-handed York had an up and down game while being used on the right side. His tripping penalty led to Hertl’s second goal. … Hertl has eight goals in his last 11 games. … San Jose’s Erik Karlsson, the NHL’s leading scorer among defensemen, notched his 49th and 50th points of the season. … Flyers forward Max Willman cleared waivers and was sent to the Phantoms. … Justin Braun and Olle Lycksell were healthy scratches. … Thursday was the second and final meeting between the Flyers and Sharks. San Jose scored a 3-0 win on Oct. 23 as James Reimer made 30 saves at the Wells Fargo Center. … The Flyers play in Los Angeles on Saturday at 4 p.m.