With a lift from their youngsters and more shootout magic from Trevor Zegras, the Flyers picked up a 4-3 win Saturday night over the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
Alex Bump made his NHL debut and delivered his first career goal. Denver Barkey, another rookie, also found the back of the net along with Owen Tippett.
Zegras was the game’s lone scorer in the shootout, improving to a blistering 19 for 30 lifetime.
The Flyers went to overtime for the 21st time this season. They’re 10-11 after regulation.
After trading away two players at Friday’s deadline, the Flyers (29-22-11) showed some fight by coming back from three one-goal deficits. They’ve earned at least a point in seven of their last nine games (5-2-2).
“I expect us to keep playing to win every single game,” general manager Danny Briere said Friday. “We’re building winners, we don’t want to cut corners or tell them to not win. From Day 1, I really believed that. That’s important for the culture of what you’re trying to build. And that’s going to keep going.”
Rick Tocchet’s club didn’t have Travis Konecny or Nick Seeler.
Konecny was out for a third straight game because of an upper-body injury. The Flyers’ leading scorer practiced Friday in a non-contact jersey and has been considered day to day. Seeler, who didn’t practice Friday, missed a second straight game with a lower-body injury.
The Flyers split their four-game regular-season series with Pittsburgh (2-2-0).
In this one, the Penguins (31-17-14) were without big names Sidney Crosby (injured reserve) and Evgeni Malkin (suspension).
Danny Briere joined Jim Jackson and Scott Hartnell to discuss the moves the Flyers made at the trade deadline ahead of their game against the Penguins.
• Bump had his biggest strength on display and that’s his shot from the circles.
He laced one home in the second period to make it a 2-2 game. The 22-year-old winger has a legit release.
As a 2022 fifth-round pick out of high school, Bump really had to work at his overall game. But he has always been a confident shooter.
Bump even got some minutes in overtime. The Flyers had to be happy with his debut.
Alex Bump met with the media after making his NHL debut to discuss scoring his first goal and more after the Flyers win on Saturday night.
• Dan Vladar made 20 saves on 23 shots and denied all three of Pittsburgh’s attempts in the shootout.
His run of six straight starts with two or fewer goals allowed came to end, but the 28-year-old battled. He helped kill off his own interference penalty with 2:09 minutes left in overtime.
Vladar picked up his 20th win. His career high was 14 coming into the season.
Penguins netminder Stuart Skinner stopped 12 of the Flyers’ 15 shots.
Trevor Zegras spoke with Jim Jackson about his shootout success after the Flyers’ win over the Penguins.
• Barkey and Matvei Michkov have exhibited some nice chemistry when they’ve been on the same line.
Michkov assisted Barkey’s game-tying 3-3 goal in the second period. With the trade of Bobby Brink, it looks like Michkov could get some opportunities to play on the right wing, which is his natural side.
• The Flyers are back in action Monday when they host the Rangers (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP+).