LOS ANGELES – The Flyers were firing on all cylinders at Staples Center on Saturday afternoon as Philadelphia out played the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings on their home ice.
Former 2008 rookie of the year Steve Mason was phenomenal for the Flyers as he stopped 36 shots as Philadelphia defeated Los Angeles 2-1 in front of 18,230 fans.
“We played as a team tonight, the Kings are a really good team and Steve [MASON] had a lot of good saves for us. It’s kind of a relief to finally get two points,” said Flyers forward Claude Giroux
The Flyers (9-13-4) came into the game struggling having lost six consecutive games prompting rumors that Philadelphia coach, Craig Berube, might be relieved of his duties.
However, Berube may have earned some job security as his team defeated one of the best home ice teams in the NHL. The Flyers outplayed the sluggish Kings in many facets of the game including on the power play and at the goalie position.
“I was very pleased with what I’ve seen,” said Ed Snider, Owner of the Philadelphia Flyers after the game. “I’m very much behind him [Berube], I love his plan, I think he’s doing a great job for us and I’m looking forward to what’s going to happen in the future.”
Jonathan Quick, arguably the league’s best in net, made 14 only saves on 16 shots for a rare .875 save percentage.
Claude Giroux scored his eighth goal of the season in the opening five minutes on a beautiful give and go play with Mark Streit. Wayne Simmonds converted a power play for the Flyers early in the second half for his 11th goal of the season and that was all the offense the Flyers would need on this occasion.
The Flyers have now stolen the two game season series from the Kings after defeating the champs 3-2 in OT in Philadelphia thanks to a game-wnning goal by Brayden Schenn.
The Kings looked flat in the first period, possibly attributed to the early start. The Kings are used to playing night games at home so the rare early afternoon start time perhaps threw them off for the first period.
“We weren’t prepared for the one o’clock game today,” said Kings forward Justin Williams. “We weren’t ready to go right away and got behind.”
Williams scored for the Kings only goal in the third period and Jarret Stoll got the assist.
The Kings had ample opportunities throughout the game attempting nearly 40 shots to the Flyers 14. The Kings even had a two-man advantage late in the game after back-to-back penalties by the Flyers.
“We just have to finish. We have to focus and bear down better than we did. We have to do better and we have to cash in on some chances,” said Kings center, Anze Kopitar.
However, sometimes it just isn’t your day and that certainly seemed to be the case for Los Angeles. After consecutive shutout victories, the Kings lost a game on Saturday they arguably should have won, but will just need to regroup and refocus before their five game road trip.
Game Notes:
Marian Gaborik did not dress for the Kings as he was a late scratch with an upper body injury. The Kings 16 shots allowed were tied for the lowest total that the Kings have allowed this entire season.
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