Flyers Hang On in a Close One to Beat Nashville 2-1 on Monday

PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia Flyers fought through the late-game push made by the Nashville Predators and hung on to the 2-1 lead for their third straight win.

With the win, the Flyers remain undefeated in the Brad Shaw era in Philadelphia.

Ryan Poehling and Jamie Drysdale scored, and Ivan Fedotov played arguably his second-best game in Philadelphia.

The Flyers’ record improved to 31-36-9 with the win, a points percentage of .467%.

Nothing to Show in the First Period

What would you expect from a game between two of the worst offensive teams in the league other than a scoreless first period?

After 20 minutes of gametime between the Flyers and Predators, it really did not look like anyone wanted to score.

Both teams looked flat offensively. The only real dangerous look came off a Matvei Michkov breakaway chance. He was able to squeak the puck past Justus Annunen, but Filip Forsberg’s stick kept the puck out of the goal.

The game would go into the first break scoreless.

Read More: PhHN Daily: Flyers Pick Watch, Michkov’s Heater, & Around the NHN Network

Two Point Second Period for Michkov and Konecny

Just under nine minutes into the second period, I was caught thinking this would be a game that neither team wanted to score.

Neither team generated any high-danger chances, with the exception of Michkov’s semi-breakaway in the first. The game just seemed to be a back-and-forth of offensive zone turnovers.

However, right when I aired those thoughts out loud, Ryan Poehling proved me wrong.

Poehling (11) cashed in on some fantastic passing from Travis Konecny (48) and Michkov (33), and scored the tic-tac-goal.

Just under four-and-a-half minutes later, Zachary L’Heureux (5) potted a loose puck in front of the net to even the score for the Predators.

However, it did not take long for the Flyers to respond.

Just 34 seconds after L’Heureux tied the game, Jamie Drysdale (7) found the loose puck just below the faceoff circle and gave the Flyers the lead right back. Who else, but Michkov (34) and Konecny (49), earned the assists on the goal.

The game picked up its intensity from there, especially for the Predators, but the Flyers held on to the 2-1 lead into the second intermission.

Flyers Hold On

The third period was much like the first.

Shot totals were each team’s lowest of the game: six for Nashville, five for Philadelphia.

While the Flyers had their chances, Nashville made a late-game push, and the game came down to the final moments.

With the empty net, the Predators set up and tried to even the score in the final minute of the game. However, Ivan Fedotov made a great final stand, aided by a brilliant shot-blocking effort by the Flyers, led by Poehling. They flooded the slot and made it difficult for the Predators to get the puck to the net.

The Flyers would hang on to their one-goal lead and hold on to the 2-1 win.

What’s Next for the Flyers

After Monday’s win, the Flyers have an oddly long break. They do not play again until Saturday in Montreal.

Read More: Flyers Notebook: Lineup Updates From Monday’s Morning Skate

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