Inside Access: Stadium Series - Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Stadium Series Pregame

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

February 23, 2019

Game Time – 8 p.m.

The Philadelphia Flyers (28-26-7, 63 points) entered the game in sixth place in the Eastern Conference's Metropolitan Division. The Pittsburgh Penguins (32-22-7, 71 points) were in fourth place in the Metro, holding the second and final Wild Card slot.

Per the NHL's media pregame media notes:

”The Flyers and Penguins are playing outdoors for the second time in three seasons, following their meeting in the 2017 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series at Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field (PIT: 4-2 W). The Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs are the only other teams that have faced off multiple times outdoors (2014 Winter Classic, 2017 Centennial Classic).

This marks Philadelphia’s fourth outdoor game overall, following appearances in the 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at BOS, 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic vs. NYR and 2017 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series at PIT (0-2-1). Only captain Claude Giroux has participated in each of the three prior outdoor games with the Flyers.

Pittsburgh is playing in its fifth outdoor game. In addition to the 2017 contest vs. PHI, the Penguins have appeared in the 2008 Amp Energy NHL Winter Classic at BUF, 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic vs. WSH and 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series at CHI (2-2-0). Forwards Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are the only players who have skated in each of the prior four outdoor games with the team."

RIVALS FROM THE BEGINNING

The Flyers and Penguins entered the NHL together in 1967-68 as part of the League’s Second Six. The intrastate rivals have faced off 287 times during the regular season, with Philadelphia owning a 154-103 advantage in wins (30 ties) and 348-243 edge in points.

The Flyers’ 154 victories against the Penguins are their most versus any opponent, while Pittsburgh’s 287 games against Philadelphia is its highest single-opponent total. The Flyers only have faced the New York Rangers more times during the regular season (296 GP).

The teams will meet one more time this season following the 2019 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series, on March 17 at Pittsburgh.

PLAYOFF HISTORY

The Flyers and Penguins have faced off seven times during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with Philadelphia owning a 4-3 series edge and 21-20 games advantage. Pittsburgh, however, has won three of their past four postseason meetings (all since 2008), including a victory in the 2018 First Round (4-2). Penguins forwards Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel each registered 6-7—13 in the six-game win. Although the teams entered the NHL together in 1967-68, they did not meet in the Stanley Cup Playoffs until 1989.”

On a personal note... Arriving in south Philadelphia for a Flyers game as a credentialed member of the media is something I've been privileged to do since the 2011-12 season. The Flyers organization has been and remains consistently professional to work with during each game. The kudos is offered in respect and as a nod to having an identical experience with the NHL during the 2012 Winter Classic events in 2012.

This year's Stadium Series is also an event managed by the NHL. Arriving at approximately 4:30 p.m., three and a half hours prior to game time's scheduled start with rain drops just starting to fall felt ominous, considering the lead-in to today's outdoor game being held at Lincoln Financial Field where the Philadelphia Eagles play.

Game time temperature 40.5 degrees.

Both teams were sporting Stadium Series specific uniforms, with each team's colors pressed bolder than normal and helmets that had large numbers the logos enhanced for fan view from the distances that were long, but not excessive.

Lines of sight were excellent in this venue as compared to 2012's Winter Classic held across the street at Citizens Bank Park.

First Period

Carter Hart's injury came after the announcement that Brian Elliott would start in goal for Philadelphia. Interim head coach Scott Gordon advised in the pregame press conference that he wasn't aware of Hart's injury until after he'd made his decision to start Elliott. Matt Murray was in net for Pittsburgh.

An intended and definite football game feel was present with Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson dropping the ceremonial first puck between Claude Giroux (about to play in his 800^th career game) and Sidney Crosby.

Crosby scored the first goal (his 26^th of the season) the contest at 7:59. With an assist from Kris Letang, Crosby stole the puck above the circles and put the puck past Elliott.

In the latter part of the period Wayne Simmonds was penalized after he checked Brian Dumoulin against the boards.

Sean Couturier tied the game with his twenty-fifth goal of the season. The wrist shot over Murray's shoulder, was assisted by Oskar Lindblom and Jake Voracek.

The rain hasn't seemed to impact play, as the action has been steady.

The nature of these outdoor events makes for a unique game-within-a-game atmosphere as each contest unfolds. The Flyers are unlikely playoff participants this season, but have been making a push in recent weeks with the trade deadline approaching Monday, meaning that various men could be wearing the orange and black for the last time in their careers, with Simmonds believed to be in that group.

Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher was seen in the media dining area, surely with a lot on his mind and messages being exchanged throughout the weekend.

Shots – Pens – 18, Flyers – 8.

Second Period

Jack Johnson tripped Nolan Patrick early in the second period. Patrick was favoring his knee as he went to the bench prior to the Flyers power play.

The level of hitting in this game, on both sides, evoked past playoff memories and a no-question blood-battle between interstate, division rivalries.

Justin Schultz wristed a shot from the left circle over Elliott's left shoulder. His first goal of the season, assists to Crosby and Patric Hornqvist at 10:10.

Shots – Pens - 30, Flyers – 17.

An Illya Bryzgalov sweater-wearing fan was seen outside of the press level. Worn as a conversation starter, or truly a fan?

Third Period

At 6:29 Evgeni Malkin (his 19^th of the season) took a slap shot from the center of the ice, above the faceoff circles. Malkin has five goals in his last five games. Assists to Phil Kessel and Zach Aston-Reese

Elliott, who was at the front of the blue paint, had tipped the shot with his glove. The puck bounced high in the air, dropped on his back and rolled into the net.

James van Riemsdyk scored his sixteenth goal of the year on the power play with Elliott pulled, making it a 6 on 4. Assists to Voracek and Claude Giroux. Play reviewed, but was not overturned.

Flyers pull goalie in last minute...Raucous, hybrid hockey/football crowd standing...Voracek threw the puck from a bad angle toward the net and it slipped past Murray to tie the game at 19:40. Assists to Couturier.

Giroux (his eighteenth of the year) wins the game in thrilling fashion at 3:01. Patrick and Sandheim get the assists.

$164,430 on the stadium's 50/50 drawing. How about taking half of that home along with a few souvenirs!

69,620 fans equaled an announced sellout at the Linc.

A 'Gritty' game for sure. Reflective of the Flyers more recent weeks. This is a better squad that has real hope for the Cup in the future, but very likely not this year. However OT happened, and...

Shots – Pens - 40, Flyers - 35.

--Overtime Period--

Final shot total: Shots – Pens – 43, Flyers - 37.

Final score: 4-3.

Next up the Flyers host the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday, February 26, which will follow Monday's trade deadline. 

Postgame Quotes

Responses to media questions after the game, as provided by the Flyers' media staff:

Penguins RW Justin Schultz

To lose Dumoulin like that, how difficult was it to rebound?

Those are a tough two guys to replace. They’re two of the more important guys on this team. To lose them early like that wasn’t easy. I thought the guys did a good job and played simple, it’s unfortunate we couldn’t get the win.

It seems like the hit was a testament to this rival with how physical this was, do you agree with that?

Yeah, it was really physical.

You said yesterday for you guys to keep everything simple, is that amplified even more when you go into an outdoor game?

Yeah it was. In the third it wasn’t great conditions, the visor was pretty wet and the ice was getting chippy so you have to be more simple. I thought we did a decent job, but for some reason we couldn’t get a power play and they called a weak one at the end there.

What happened in those final minutes, you guys weren’t able to close it out?

Well they had that power play and it was a weak call, I thought. It gave them a chance to get the one there and then they had some time to get back.

Penguins C Jared McCann

On Simmonds hit

I didn’t like the hit. The refs got in the way and nothing came of it.

That seems to be in the consensus in this room, you guys weren’t a fan.

Yeah, definitely didn’t like it. We’re going to leave it up to the league to figure that out though.

What changed the momentum at the end and kind of flipped it on their side?

I think they got pucks to the net. Obviously they got a nice little bounce there, sometimes that’s going to happen. But what got a point out of it and that’s a positive.

A little more disappointing when you’re up 3-1 in the end of the game and to have a questionable slashing call at the end?

I kind of thought they were looking for something there. It didn’t really look like a slash there, but we were just trying to be hard on the sticks. Stuff like that is going to happen and you have no control over it, you just have to play hockey.

Penguins C Matt Cullen

What happened first with Simmonds, you didn’t like that–or alluded to it?

I don’t know. It looked like it was pretty high.

Were the conditions not a factor tonight?

No, the conditions weren’t bad. Actually the ice was good.

Philadelphia Flyers RW Wayne Simmonds

Missed question

Pretty intense. Down by two. Got to get shots on net. I think the whole period we had pressure on them. We were cycling the puck pretty well, but they were doing a good job keeping us to the outside and then we got some pucks on the net, obviously got a couple goals. G [Giroux] comes up with a huge one.

Wayne, talk about some of the challenges that the conditions brought, the wet weather and gripping sticks and stuff like that.

It actually wasn’t bad in the first and second. The first was a little bit of drizzle, but it didn’t have too much effect on the game I don’t think. Third period you’re out there and it starts coming down a little bit heavier. Sticks are slipper, gloves are like your hands are in swamps, you can’t see anything. I think things started changing from there. I think when they got that goal, Malkin’s goal, I think obviously that was a little bit weird. That usually doesn’t happen. And then our goals. It was obviously nice for us to get that win. Yeah, obviously there were a little bit of challenges out there.

Obviously you guys posted one of these before, but just your thoughts on the 70,000 fans and the atmosphere in general tonight.

Yeah, we finally got one. That’s nice. The third one in, I don’t know how many people we had in the Phillies’ stadium, but probably around, I’d say 50. So, this was 20,000 more. They were unbelievable out there tonight. The fans were great. They always are great here, so it was quite the pleasure.  

Did you take a minute to take it in a little bit more?

Yeah, I looked around. It’s not often you play in front of 70,000 people. Obviously, you don’t know, you don’t know what my future holds here for the next 48 hours. It was nice to stand out there and get that win and have all those cheers.​

Penguins LW Marcus Pettersson

*Missed Question referring to the Flyers comeback

We did a good job defending ourselves, like I said, they pulled the goalie and played five on three–that’s tough. It doesn’t matter if you’re tired or fit, I think we should keep our heads up.

Still frustrating when you’re that close with three minutes to play?

It stinks right now. We’re all frustrated in here, we all wanted to win that game, I think we did the job and deserved to win that game. They played a tremendous game too, they came back. I think both teams deserved it. It was a hard fought game; the puck was bouncing everywhere.

What about the way the defense played, losing your top two guys–the way you guys banned together?

Yeah it’s tough for that long, but I think we kept the play in front of us, I think we kept short shifts and we were able to establish a rhythm. I think that helped a lot. I don’t think it was a matter of stamina, I think we’re all fit guys. We had our energy up pretty good. They came up clutch and got a couple of good bounces and got two goals there.

Penguins C Sidney Crosby

Missed Question

I think just trying to change smart you know obviously a long change in the second period you want to try and get them a chance to get up there. But, it’s not a typical situation, I thought we handled it pretty good those guys played a lot of minutes and played really well.

What do you have to say about the conditions out there, especially in the third period?

It’s coming down pretty good, with a lead that would usually work to your advantage with pucks and things like that. But, unfortunately we gave them some life there and they took advantage of it.

To lose a game like that without your top two defenders, what can this do to your team, and do you have to guard against letting it just be one overtime loss?

You have to move by it and learn from it. This is kind of a playoff feel from here on out for us and sometimes things like this happen. So, we are going to move on and you just become that much more desperate and urgent, but we also have to figure out why that happened too.

Do you have an opinion on the Simmonds hit?

I just saw the replay and it looks like he made contact with his head, it’s tough to see.

You mentioned learning from it, what can you really learn from a game in these conditions?

I think situational stuff, I think there are things we can take away, rain obviously excluded.

Penguins D Jack Johnson

Did you see Voracek’s shot, I think it was from the corner, it might have went through your legs?

It didn’t touch me or anything, I know I saw him coming around and I wanted to retreat back to the front of the net to be there in case there was a rebound

Is there anything to be said about when you’re playing with 4 D for as long as you did, the ware at the end of the game, is that part of the reason they were able to come back?

I felt fine at the end of the game, the worst part is we lost two good players. I wouldn’t put it on fatigue or on the four defensemen that were playing.

Penguins Goalie Matt Murray

Missed Question

We battled hard, tough conditions, two D were down, our D did an incredible job. It sucks not to get that extra point but we played really well and we should be proud of ourselves.

How tough was it to be in those conditions in the rain to be able to even see the puck especially in the third period?

It is what it is, it’s a little different obviously but you just try to roll with it.

Is there a screen with 22 seconds to go in regulation that kind of prevented you from seeing it?

I just didn’t see it, but I need to do a better job at finding it. They threw a lot of traffic at the net but I have to do a better job.

The conditions being what they were, do you not judge your game like you normally would?

I always try to judge things objectively no matter what the conditions are. Everything is playing the same conditions so we’re all in the same spot.

Philadelphia Flyers LW James vanRiemsdyk

Describe your goal and how it kind of changed the game?

Yeah, I think I was getting some good looks and some good movement there on the PK. I don’t know obviously, I take a lot of pride in that part of my game and being able to find those spots, and those guys did a great job of creating a chance and I got a fortunate bounce and nothing really too special, just poking at it.

How were the conditions especially in the third period when the rain started coming down a little harder?

It was tough, glad we were able to get the game in, but certainly at the end I think you guys could probably see it from the game, guys kind of over skating the puck and fumbling it a little more than usual. That being said it’s the same condition for both teams you just try to simplify and some of the goals that were scored were just throwing it to the net and good bounces, that’s just kind of the game it was.

Inaudible question

Yeah that’s one way to put it I think we all recognized the importance of this game and we couldn’t really afford to not get any points tonight, so we were able to gain a little bit of ground, certainly that keeps us alive I would say.

Down by two, rain is falling, your goalie is pulled, is it just getting there in front of the net?

I don’t know, as far as that goes with this is by far the team that I’ve been on in my whole career where we’re like never out of it, it doesn’t matter. The score, I think we’ve had some weird comebacks this year, we just keep playing and keep trying to stick with it, we don’t really give up. So, were going to try to stick with our game plan, simplify things, get pucks to the net especially in conditions like that and we were able to get it working. 

Penguins Head Coach Mike Sullivan 

Mike, I know it’s right after but is there anything available on Dumoulin and Letang and how did that impact the game tonight?

“Dumoulin has been diagnosed with a concussion and is out, of course Letang is being evaluated for an upper body injury. As far as its impact on the game, it’s tough when you lose your top pair for the majority of the hockey game. The other four guys did a tremendous job the rest of the night.”

Jack Johnson was especially strong for the four defensemen, can you speak a little bit about his performance tonight?

“I thought Jack was really good. He was physical, he defended hard, he was making good passes. I thought our overall team game was really good.” 

Second game in a row Murray has let in a goal that I’m sure he wasn't real happy about. How concerned are you about where he is right now at this point of the season?

“We would like to see him bring a little more consistency to this game, it’s going to help us down the stretch here. Matt is a really good goalie and we believe in him.” 

Normally, you would probably evaluate a game where you had a two goal lead late and lost in one way. Do you evaluate it differently because of the conditions you were playing under, especially in the third period?

“When you look at the goals we scored, I thought for the most part we had complete control of the game in the third period. Our guys did a really good job, they made good decisions with the puck. They get a power play and that’s tough to defend when you’re in that circumstance, four against three and it turns into five against three when they pull a goalie. I think overall with the coaching staff’s assessment without even breaking the film down, our initial reaction to this is our overall team game was good. We’re disappointed we didn't get the two points, but I thought our effort was really good, I thought we made good decisions. We had complete control of the game for majority of that game, with the exception of maybe a two minute span.” 

Mike, teams that are trying to establish consistency and lose the way you guys did tonight, sometimes it can fester with one overtime loss. Do you feel with your guys that is a danger, that they are entering a danger zone and this could become something that carries through?

“No, we’re just trying to take each game as it comes. That’s our approach is we aren't going to dwell on it, we’re going to try and learn from it, move by it and get ready for the next one. That’s the mindset we have to have at this time of year. As we’ve talking to our players over the last couple of days, we’re in a playoff mode right now and that’s just the reality of the league and the three point games. There are a lot of teams that are in it. We just have to embrace this challenge, take each game as it comes, we aren't going to dwell on anyone, we have to learn by each experience and move by it and get ready for the next one.” 

Flyers G Brian Elliott

Given how that game went, and where you guys are in the standings, how important was this for this team?

Big, I mean in the standings for sure, and against a big rival. We had a lot of fans in the stands tonight, and they braved it, the weather, just as we did out there. It was really fun to play that. G, kind of going down there scoring like he did, put the cherry on top for everybody.

What were the conditions like? What was difficult out there for goaltenders?

The first part was like a curling rink, and then the second period was actually really good ice. I think it stopped raining for a little bit. Third got a little rough, it started to come down pretty good. I think it was probably tougher with guys with visors, skating through it, trying to see through the water. For me, it’s falling straight down so you’re not getting anything in your eyes really. The conditions on the ice for our pads and moving was a lot tougher for sure.

After going through all you’ve been through, injury after injury, how satisfying was it to be part of something like this?

Yeah, it was personally, I have battled pretty hard to get back. It definitely tests you. Tests you mentally, physically. To get back and get an opportunity like this, I definitely didn’t want to let the guys down. They didn’t let me down, they came back for me. It’s a special, special time of year right now, and against a team that is right down the road, it’s a big one for us.

You talked about the impact of the elements on the pads, was that part of what happened on that third goal?

I’m not making any excuses for that one. I just didn’t catch it and couldn’t find it up top. Right before Mac was coming back and he said “heads up” and I just tried to get back and try to save anything but it went off my foot and in.

Flyers Interim Head Coach Scott Gordon

Coach, you started your pregame press conference before, it stayed dry, what did the conditions change as the rain started to come down in the second period, it looked like you guys started to come into your own in the third period, what happened with those conditions?

I don’t think the ice changed too much, almost like curling ice, bubbled, you saw guys try to shoot pucks and not get all of it, shank it a few times, fan on it, so when the ice is like that the puck has a tendency to jump away from you whatever you’re doing, receiving it, passing, making a pass. That was pretty much consistent the only difference in the third period was a little more rain coming down.

Scott you coached AHL, NHL, you’ve been on all levels, a guy like Wayne Simmonds, can you describe, even if he’s not  on the score sheet, the value of him looking even at tonight’s game?

Well, for starters, he makes everybody play braver, there’s no question about it. The energy he brings, whether it’s a hit or a fight or whatever it might be, his enthusiasm on the bench. I don’t know what is gonna happen moving forward with him but I’m certainly hoping he’s here with us and he provides us with a lot and whatever appreciation I had for him before I got the job here, I have more now.

Scott, when you played this team a little less than two weeks ago, you had nine shots in the first period, you finished the game with 51, tonight you had 8 in the first period, you finished with 37, after the first period, even down the stretch in the third, does the message become just start shooting from anywhere, what’s gonna find the net?

Yeah and I think we turned down some opportunities in the second period, I didn’t think we had much in the first period, it seemed like every time we made a play, we didn’t connect on the pass, we missed the pass, we didn’t give up a lot of great chances by any means, but we gave up a lot of shots obviously those shots lead to defensive zone. Second period we had a lot of chances I thought that we were gonna get from the new material ice, it was almost like we were trying to make the perfect play and I just kept emphasizing that it’s not gonna be pretty goals here just get the pucks to the net and, we certainly get some momentum in the second period as far as offensive zone time and to their credit I was actually pretty impressed, its 3-1 with about 4 minutes to go, playing with 4 D, how they were able to keep us at bay and it was a hell of an effort from them and we just stayed with it and got our opportunities and cashed in.

Coach, down 3-1 after difficult circumstances, what you guys showed tonight and coming back to win it, how much of a boost can it give, especially with Buffalo coming up in a couple of days in a short period of time?

Yeah especially to have the two games that we had last Tuesday and Thursday being down 3-0, ten minutes into the game it’s frustrating especially where we were on such a good run and sometimes eventually you’re going to lose a game. The wheels kind of fell off there for two games and hopefully the energy we get from this win will carry over to Tuesday.

Flyers forwards Jake Voracek, Claude Giroux, Sean Coturier

Wayne in the locker room said you guys gave him the post game helmet, little bit of an emotional experience. Can you guys kind of sum up what he’s mean to this team and sort of the question of the next 48 hours, if he’s going to stay her or what his future is and how that sort of affects you guys as a team, personally and all the things that he means to your group?

Voracek: Well I don’t think I have to make any comments, I think everybody around the league, in Philly knows what kind of guy, what kind of player he is and obviously everybody knows what kind of position he is and he’s one of my best friends so obviously it been kind of stressful for me as well, not as much as him but like I said it’s something we cannot change in the locker room and he knows it, he’s been a warrior, throughout last year, this year ad like I said, whatever happens it’s going to be tough or good. He’s been amazing, he’s been a good friend of mine and we’ll see what’s going to happen.

Claude, you guys have had some tough outdoor games in the past, games that could have gone your way, down 3-1 in this one and you come back and win in overtime. Talk about the way you guys battled back?

Yeah, it didn’t look too good, but we found ways to get back in the game and make it 3-3. The whole game, it was kind of a weird game, I think I spent more time trying to clean my visor than actually playing. Other than that, the experience was great, the fans are so crazy and they’re still our fans.

Claude, just to go back to Adam’s question, your thoughts on Wayne and what the exchange was like?

It’s a tough situation. Just don’t know what’s going to happen. He’s been an ultimate warrior. He’s been the best teammate all these years. It’s not something that we can control. It’s definitely frustrating a little bit, but we’ve all been here for a lot now and we understand the business of it, but it doesn’t mean we have to like it. But, there’s not enough words I can say about Wayne Simmonds.

There were some talks over the last couple of weeks that you guys went and made a push, whether it was to Chuck or I don’t know who, can you speak to any of that?

Claude: I mean, do you want the full conversation? Like I said, I don’t like to comment on it right now because we don’t know what’s going to happen. All I have to say is, Wayne’s been the best teammate, and it’s just frustrating to think about right now.

Claude, you’ve played in this is your 3^rd outdoor game going back to 2010 at Fenway Park, you haven’t won any of them. Take me through that last sequence what is like to score that goal, to hear the crowd, to finally get one of these after coming up short a couple of times?

Yeah, my celebration, I would never do a celebration like that it was just kind of a relief to finally win an outdoor game. It was a battle to get it, but sometimes those games [that] are the hardest to win are the nicest to win.

You had a point on all three regulation goals, was there a point where you felt like you had to put the team on your back, you had an assist on one, you scored the game tier in the last three minutes?

I felt like especially our line, we’ve been spending a lot of time in the offensive zone and I think we were making a good push every time we were on the ice, so with where we were in the third period I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. To be honest, I wasn’t a believer I was going to win, which is probably bad to say. Those conditions, water on your visor, like G said, the ice was kind of heavy in the third period, and the conditions were obviously tough. I think we have a pretty good team coming back and that’s what we did today. Lucky third goal, but a big one. It’s been a good push so far. That was a huge- I think it was the biggest game of the year. If we lost that game, it would be tough to work from here.

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