Michael Raffl brought Philadelphia to victory against Pittsburgh, in the end the first game of the season was a 6-3 win.
Michael Raffl shot the Philadelphia Flyers to victory in the first game of the season of the North American ice hockey league NHL. The Villach striker scored the decisive 4: 3 (46th) on Wednesday in a 6-3 home win in the Pennsylvania derby against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Raffl scored in his 499th appearance in the National Hockey League, and the 32-year-old will play his 500th match on Friday in the next duel between the Flyers and the Penguins in Philadelphia.
In an intense derby, the Penguins took an early lead through Mark Jankowski (6th). With two similar goals in their first two majority games, the Flyers turned the game around in the first third. James van Riemsdyk (16) and Nolan Patrick (20), who had missed the entire last season due to migraine problems, each faked a shot from defender Erik Gustafsson’s new signing.
Exchange of blows
Pittsburgh also hit back in the power play through Sidney Crosby (24th) after an error by Carter Hart. The superstar caught a failed attempt by the goalkeeper from the air and shot into the empty goal. The renewed Flyers lead by Joel Farabee (39th), who also booked three assists, was compensated by the guests with Brandon Tanev (44th).
But Raffl finally put Philadelphia on the road to victory after submission by Scott Laugthon. Travis Konecny and Kevin Hayes made everything clear with a double strike within 20 seconds (53rd).
Defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning also started the new season with a win. The reigning champion beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-1 on their own ice. The St. Louis Blues, Stanley Cup winners of 2019, won 4-1 at the Colorado Avalanche.
Wednesday’s NHL Results: Philadelphia Flyers (mit Raffl/Tor zum 4:3) – Pittsburgh Penguins 6:3, Tampa Bay Lightning – Chicago Blackhawks 5:1, Edmonton Oilers – Vancouver Canucks 3:5, Colorado Avalanche – St. Louis Blues 1:4, Toronto Maple Leafs – Montreal Canadiens 5:4 n.V.
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