Flyers are keeping a ‘businesslike’ approach ahead of Game 2 in Pittsburgh
Now that they got their first taste of the playoffs, the Flyers aren't settling for just one road win against the Penguins in their first-round series.
PITTSBURGH ― The Flyers now have one game of playoff experience under their belt.
Noah Cates, in his fourth full NHL season, was one of the 10 Flyers who made their playoff debut in Saturday’s Game 1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. There hasn’t been playoff hockey in Philadelphia since 2018, and the home environment is sure to be raucous and supportive, but Cates said it was almost better to get his first taste of playoff action on the road.
“To get away from home and have that first experience here,” Cates said. “We’re on the road, less noise around your house, or whatever it might be. It’s just easier on the road with food and different things like that, just show up and play and go to work.”
» READ MORE: Don’t be surprised by Porter Martone’s spectacular start. The Flyers knew what they had all along.
Trevor Zegras scored first in Game 1, and after Pittsburgh retook some of the momentum late in the second period with the game-tying goal, Travis Sanheim and Porter Martone silenced the crowd in the third.
A few Flyers admitted that there were some nerves before the first-round series opener, but they settled in as the game progressed. After how the group responded to the win, Rick Tocchet isn’t concerned with the team getting too caught up in the excitement.
“Even on the bus ride back the team meal, it was a very, I wouldn’t say quiet, but it was just businesslike,” Tocchet said. “Guys ate and they went and got some recovery done. You could just tell, ‘Hey, good job, but we’ve got a long way to go.’ That was their attitude. I didn’t really have to say too much, to be honest.”
Sean Couturier said he expects the Penguins to be sharper and to come back even better after Game 1. But the Flyers will also have the benefit of having that first playoff game under their belt.
“We know a little bit what to expect in terms of the environment we’re playing in, and the atmosphere and all the things that go around playoff hockey,” Couturier said.
The Flyers captured home ice advantage, and will head back to Philadelphia at worst tied in their first round series. But the Flyers have their eyes on bigger goals, and don’t want settle for one win on the road.
» READ MORE: The Flyers seized Game 1 from the Penguins. Here are three reasons for their success.
“To actually be in a Game 1 and in a series like this, it’s big, but to get a win and to have our head on straight and have the leadership that we have to be ready for Game Two and not be satisfied at one win here is big for us,” Cates said.
Breakaways
Dan Vladař will start Game 2 in Pittsburgh … Rick Tocchet could not confirm whether the lineup would be the same as Game 1, with multiple guys “banged up” … The Sixers and Flyers will co-host a pep rally on Tuesday at Comcast Center Plaza at 11:39 a.m.
