After a raucous crowd welcomed longtime Flyer Kimmo Timonen back to the Wells Fargo Center, there was still a hockey game to be played Wednesday evening.
Returning from a pitiful 0-2-2 road trip, the Flyers were surprisingly sharp in handing the playoff-bound Chicago Blackhawks a 4-1 defeat (see Instant Replay).
Here are 10 random observations from the tilt:
1. In a very classy gesture, Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville started Timonen with his new defensive partner, Brent Seabrook, against the Flyers. It just goes to show how well-respected Timonen is around the league. Quenneville knew it’d be a special moment for the veteran defenseman and it was a more than appropriate way to kick off the evening.
2. The Flyers’ top line really set the tone for the game. After a quick icing call 15 seconds in, Claude Giroux, Michael Raffl and Jakub Voracek broke out and pinned Chicago in its own defensive end for a solid 30 to 40 seconds, connecting on several crisp passes. Michael Del Zotto and Mark Streit did an admirable job holding the blue line, leading to a quality scoring opportunity for Giroux. The shot was blocked, but the shift was a sign of things to come. The Flyers were buzzing all night.
3. Wayne Simmonds picked up his 100th goal as a Flyer at the 7:20 mark of the first period off a nice feed from fellow winger Matt Read. What the scoresheet doesn’t show was Simmonds’ effort before the tally. He picked off a Patrick Sharp turnover in the corner, which led to some sustained pressure in the offensive zone. Read then found a wide-open Simmonds creeping up Blackhawks netminder Corey Crawford’s left side and Simmonds buried the pass. Great execution.
NHL
4. The Flyers played a video tribute for Timonen just before the 10-minute mark of the first period. Both the Flyers and Blackhawks watched from their respective benches as highlights of Timonen’s best moments with the orange and black were played for a sold-out Wells Fargo Center crowd. At the conclusion of the video, Timonen stepped onto the ice and waved as Flyers fans chanted “Kimmo, Kimmo, Kimmo.” The building seemed like it was shaking because of the roaring ovation. The Flyers always handle these situations with such class and it made for a memorable moment.
5. The more I see Ryan White play, the more I’m convinced he’ll be back in a Flyers uniform next season. The gritty forward decked noted pest Daniel Carcillo with a clean open-ice check in the first period, and later picked up his fifth goal of the season in the second frame. He was a depth signing last summer who was expected to play most of the season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. But in his short time with the Flyers, he’s proved to be a reliable third- or fourth-line energy guy, and he’s even chipped in offensively. He’s one of the few Flyers who has played with a purpose over the past month.
6. Speaking of White’s goal, it wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for young Nick Cousins. The rookie center won a clean draw in the offensive zone, enabling White to get set up in the slot for a deflection. Cousins didn’t get an assist on the play, but he’s a key reason why the Flyers were able to take a 2-0 lead.
7. Bizarre stat of the night: Giroux finally tallied his first even-strength goal at home this season Wednesday. He re-directed a beautiful Voracek offering past Crawford to give the Flyers a 3-0 lead in the second. Giroux’s last 5-on-5 goal at the Wells Fargo Center came nearly a year ago: March 28, 2014 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
8. Of all the Flyers to pick a fight with, Carcillo decided to target first-year Flyer Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. Carcillo is known to get under the skin of his opponents, and it was clear Bellemare had enough of Carcillo’s chirping. Bellemare, who has been in just one other career NHL fight, held his own too. There wasn’t a clear winner in the scrap, but both players landed their share of punches. Call it a draw.
9. Steve Mason had yet another strong showing for the Flyers. What else is new? He was tested sporadically, but he certainly earned the win. He made a spectacular sprawling stop on Andrew Shaw during a Blackhawks 2-on-1 rush in the first period that could have swayed momentum Chicago’s way. One thing is clear: The Flyers’ No. 1 netminder is making a strong case to be named the team’s most valuable player.
10. It was a tough night for Sean Couturier. The 22-year-old centerman, who is one goal away from setting a new career high, had two golden opportunities at Crawford’s doorstep but failed to finish on both attempts. Even worse: They were at point-blank range. He’s now gone goalless in 11 straight games. Talk about snakebitten.