The Flyers have not been very good in season-opening games the past few seasons. Some wondered if they would suffer the same fate to start the 2015-16 season when it was announced that they would be traveling to Tampa Bay to take on the defending Eastern Conference champions.
Although the Flyers came away with one point as a result of an overtime loss, this game had a much different feel to it. These were not the Flyers of old, rather, it was a team that looked hungry and followed their new coach's scheme in order to hang with arguably one of the best teams in the National Hockey League.
In a season where the Flyers motto is to "Play Boldly", the team did just that and gave fans a reason to be excited again after a playoff-like performance against a team slated to be a Stanley Cup contender.
Goaltending
There is no question that Ben Bishop is one of the best goaltender's in the NHL. He has carried his team deep into the playoffs and has become a crutch for them as they challenge for the Stanley Cup. In order for the Flyers to be successful, netminder Steve Mason will need to do the same. In Thursday's season opener, he did just that with a 29-save performance that saw him deny multiple breakaways and point-blank shots from in front of the cage. In the overtime period alone, Mason stood on his head as the Lightning were relentless in their pursuit of ending the game.
Although Tampa Bay would eventually score on a Jason Garrison breakaway to end the game, Mason couldn't have turned in a much better performance. If they Flyers want to have a chance to contend for a playoff spot this season, they will need solid goaltending to carry them along the way. If last night's game was any indication, Mason is up for the challenge.
Defense
The is no denying that the Achilles heel of the team has been their defensive corps. With a slew of defensive prospects in waiting, general manager Ron Hextall and Co. has managed to shake up his blueliners in the meantime, and the result was fairly significant in Game 1.
Although the unit looks somewhat similar to last season, the starting-six committed to altering their scheme at the direction of Dave Hakstol. The first-year Flyers coach wants his defensemen to pinch when appropriate and keep the play alive in the offensive zone. They did just that against Tampa Bay and seemed to command the neutral zone, smothering the Lightning's group of talented forwards and making them force plays that weren't there.
Luke Schenn, the much maligned Flyers defenseman, acted as the team's seventh defender for most of training camp but earned his spot in the opening-day lineup by impressing the coaching staff with his uncharacteristically consistent play. While not the prototypical player in Hakstol's new system, Schenn played a solid defensive game and logged almost 19 minutes of ice time, good enough for third on the team behind Mark Streit and Michael Del Zotto. As expected, he created a physical presence to the back end by registering three hits, tied for most on the team.
Overtime
The powers that be in the NHL offices had to have been thrilled with the first-ever 3-on-3 overtime period. In just 2:17 of play, the Flyers and Lightning combined for eight shots on goal in an extra period that had non-stop action up and down the ice. Described by some as "lunacy," the period was nothing short of spectacular, from scoring chances to goaltending as each netminder came up huge to momentarily keep the game alive.
The OT session had a different feel to it than the in preseason where each team practiced it three time. In this case, the points count and each team went all-in in an effort to take the second point. Seeing how open the ice is, it will be hard to imagine many games still requiring a shootout to determine a winner.
If last night was any indication, I personally will take an overtime loss over the thought of a shootout any day!
Night for History
Besides showcasing the first ever regular season 3-on-3 overtime period, the game also saw two penalty shots as Claude Giroux was denied in the first period thanks to a magnificent stick check by Bishop, who later stuffed Scott Laughton in the overtime period. It was the first time in Flyers history that they were awarded multiple penalty shots in a game.
Interestingly enough, it was the second time in two seasons that the Orange and Black attempted a penalty shot in the season opener. Wayne Simmonds was unsuccessful against Jonathan Bernier and the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first game of the 2013-14 campaign.
With the two misses Thursday night, the Flyers have now been unsuccessful on their last six penalty shot attempts dating back to 2011. See why nobody in Philadelphia like the shootout?!
R.J. is Back
There is no denying that R.J. Umberger was underwhelming last season as he began his second stint the with club. There is also no denying that he was injured and required hip surgery towards the end of the year in order to get on track.
Finally healthy, Umberger looked like the Flyer of old and had a jump to his step all night long. Aside from one really bad turnover in the neutral zone that led to a breakaway, Umberger played extremely well on a line with Laughton and Matt Read. His two assist performance was his first multi-point game since December of 2014 and his first multi-assist game since December of 2013.
Having the focus on the top few lines, it will be imperative for the Flyers to get contributions from their bottom-six forwards. If Umberger's performance is any indication, the Flyers may be in good shape moving forward.
The season is long and will contain both highs and lows. If the Flyers can consistently put together a 60-minute effort like they did against Tampa Bay, they could put themselves into position to be a much improved team from the last few seasons.
Zach Hopkins is a contributing writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @healedbyhockey.
