Flyers Bury Their Chances in a 6-3 Win Over Utah
The Philadelphia Flyers won 6-3, but the run of play was much closer than the scoreboard. Utah had slightly the better of the night and still went home well beaten, because Philadelphia made its chances count and Utah did not.
The evidence: Utah's chances were worth 2.67 expected goals (how many goals its looks should produce on average) to Philadelphia's 2.37. The Mammoth also had more shot attempts, 55 to 47, while shots on goal were nearly even at 22-21. By a fair read, this was close to a coin-flip game.
What broke it open was finishing. Karel Vejmelka allowed five goals on 20 shots, and the Flyers spread the scoring around, with Christian Dvorak, Noah Cates, Travis Konecny and Cole Knuble all scoring. Dvorak nearly had another, ringing one off the crossbar.
Jamie Drysdale set up three goals without a shot of his own, and partner Travis Sanheim added two assists. Utah's power play converted two of five chances, with Logan Cooley scoring once and setting up another, but it was not enough. The bounces went Philadelphia's way, and the Flyers grabbed them.
