‘We were connected all night’: An Unexpected Line Steps Up for the Flyers

The Flyers’ newly formed third line of Bobby Brink, Ryan Poehling, and Olle Lycksell played a pivotal role in the Flyers’ 4-3 shootout win over the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday night.

“We were connected all night, starting in the (defensive) zone, breaking out into groups of five, and then neutral zone, just kind of being on top of them, creating turnovers,” said Ryan Poehling after the game.

That third line was checking hard all game, making it difficult for the Lightning to get any chances while they were on the ice. That is something Brink has done all season with his typical linemates, Noah Cates and Tyson Foerster. However, a line change in an attempt to help get Travis Konecny scoring again sent Brink down to the third line.

That didn’t stop Brink Thursday night. The Flyers’ forward had his first multi-goal of the season, and the second of his NHL career. Not only did Brink have two goals, but he also earned the assist on Poehling’s late second period goal as well. That is Brink’s second three-plus point game of his career as well, with the first coming February 25th of this season.

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No Highs or Lows for Brink

While the line change was to try to get Konecny going, it did help that Brink has also had his share of struggles lately. When asked if his big night had him feeling better about his game, Brink said it didn’t change a thing.

“I think you’re not going to score every game; in some games, you’re going to get two. So (I) just kind of stay even keel and don’t ride high or low,” said Brink. He also gave credit to his linemates as well. “(Lycksell) and Poehls played great today. I mean, unbelievable plays on the goals and made life easy on me.”

Bobby Brink played arguably the best game of his NHL career on Thursday night. This was apparent not just on the score sheet but also in his play away from the puck. Everything Brink did on Thursday was a testament to the significant improvement he has made from last season to this season.

However, Brink said he wasn’t doing anything different out there. “I think sometimes when the pucks are going in, you just look better out there.”

Though he matched a career high in goals, and tallied the second most points in a single game of his career, Thursday just seemed like another game for Brink.

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A Reminder From Poehling

Ryan Poehling reminded everyone that he still has the talent of a former first-round draft selection.

The Flyers forward used his quick hands to score a dazzling goal against Lightning netminder Jonas Johansson. The score gave the Flyers their first lead since the first period of their March 8th contest vs. the Kraken.

Poehling had been knocking on the doorstep of not just a goal, but a flashy one for the last two games, and even had a chance earlier in the contest on Thursday. He finally broke through and tucked in the score.

The Flyers’ center played a big role in Thursday night’s success, not just for his line but for the Flyers as a team.

Olle Joined the Flyers’ Third Line Party

That third line was so good Thursday night; Olle Lycksell even had a multi-point game. Before the previous two games, Lycksell had not tallied a point this season. He earned his first point of the year in the last game, and just his second career multi-point game in the NHL.

Lycksell had the primary assist on Brink’s first goal, along with Poehling’s score. It is nice to see Lycksell find some success at the NHL level, even if it is just a two-game stretch. He has been such a good AHL player but has struggled to translate that to the NHL. Maybe this is the start of a comfortable Olle Lycksell.

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