VOORHEES, N.J. — Emotions naturally run hotter in must-win situations. The Philadelphia Flyers probably needed to capture Game 3 of their second-round series with the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night to have a legitimate chance at pulling off the upset. It’s understandable if they were collectively a little more on edge than usual.
We’re not entirely sure what led to Flyers coach Rick Tocchet’s animated reprimanding of forward Trevor Zegras in the first period, although it looked as if it had something to do with communicating with the referees. Tocchet declined to elaborate when asked Friday, simply calling it “something (he and Zegras) have talked about before.”
It was clear no hard feelings lingered the day after, or even for the rest of that game, an eventual 4-1 loss. Tocchet has said throughout this season that he’s enjoyed interacting with the 25-year-old Zegras, in hockey and non-hockey conversations.
They even had a disagreement in the previous playoff series, when Zegras was evidently displeased at getting only one shift over the final half of the third period in a 3-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 2 on April 20. What followed the next day was a productive conversation, according to Tocchet. “He wasn’t down,” the coach said of Zegras. “He wanted a little bit more. We talked about it, and he had a great (Game 3).”
Indeed, Zegras posted a goal and an assist in the Flyers’ 5-2 win over the Penguins on April 22.
In other words, that moment against the Hurricanes on Thursday didn’t alter their relationship, either.
“The one thing with Trevor I love, you can give it to him. It’s been like that all year — doesn’t pout, takes it,” Tocchet said. “Today, he came in my office, we just shot the breeze about some other stuff, and about that (moment from Game 3). It’s not a big deal. … We move on from it. He’s the last guy I’m worried about. He’s a very coachable kid.”
Zegras echoed that affection.
“Obviously, Tocc is a great guy, to begin with,” Zegras said. “I think the relationship off the ice has always been, he’s a good guy to talk to. The one thing I have a ton of respect for is he’ll get in your face and tell you stuff, but then he won’t ever like sit you down for shifts at a time. He puts you right back on the ice. Whether or not it puts fire in you, or fuel, or is teaching you something, he always gives you that chance to go let you prove yourself the next shift, which I love.”
And Zegras did respond. His second-period goal, which came after a Porter Martone shot deflected off Emil Andrae and in turn bounced to him, tied the score at 1-1. Tocchet rejected the premise that his scolding of Zegras had anything to do with it; regardless, Zegras played his most effective offensive game since midway through the first-round series with the Penguins. The goal was his first point in five games.
Further, Zegras’ line, with Martone and Alex Bump, was the Flyers’ most effective at five-on-five before the game devolved into a muddled special teams battle. If the Flyers are to have any hope at sending the series back to Raleigh, N.C., for Game 5 on Monday, that line will probably need to be strong again Saturday, particularly with Noah Cates out and Owen Tippett still looking doubtful.
“I thought (Martone) had a great game. I thought Bump played a great game,” Zegras said. “When those guys move their feet they’re hard to defend, especially when you play a man-on-man team. (When) those guys are skating, getting past a guy, their hockey minds and IQ kind of takes over. I thought we had a ton of good looks, especially in the first period. Just try and keep it going.”
Said Tocchet: “I thought that line had some chances, especially early on.”
They did. Martone was arguably the Flyers’ best forward in Game 3 from the hop. He hit the post about five minutes into the first period, then set up Bump for a great chance with eight minutes left in the first — a sequence that began with Zegras winning a race and a battle in the offensive-zone corner. Shortly after Zegras’ goal, Martone was stopped on a partial breakaway by defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere. (Martone seemed to indicate that he thought he was held, but no penalty was called.)
Martone also made a nice keep in at the blue line before finding Bump all alone down low with 12 minutes left in the second period. Bump made a little move in front of goalie Frederik Andersen but pushed the shot just wide.
Martone has acknowledged that the NHL schedule has been a grind, as he goes through it for the first time. Speaking in Raleigh between Games 1 and 2, he said: “It’s definitely a learning experience. When I came in, I was playing I think nine games in (15) days. It’s definitely a lot different.”
He’s adjusting, though.
“I think I’ve kind of figured out something that makes my body feel good, so when it’s game time, ready to go,” Martone said then.
Although Martone didn’t register any points in the first two games of the Hurricanes series, Tocchet said he liked his play in Game 2. The winger snapped a five-game point drought with his assist in Game 3, and he could have had multiple points more with a little luck.
“A big thing in the NHL is (you) always have to have a good B-game,” Martone said Friday. “I think I was playing that the first two games against Carolina, but I want to make an impact every night. I want to be a guy that’s relied on on this team. That’s what I felt like I was (Thursday) night.”
A B-game from the Flyers won’t get it done Saturday. They’re hopeful that after Pittsburgh eventually turned up the pressure on them despite dropping the first three games in the first round, they can do the same to Carolina.
“I think if we can go out and get one tomorrow, they’ll tighten up a little bit,” Zegras said. “To get that fourth one is obviously the hardest one, and we’ve got to do a job to make it as hard as possible.”
