LOS ANGELES — The Flyers' new youth brigade made its debut Friday night in stylish fashion at the STAPLES Center with a 4-2 victory over the Kings.
Travis Konecny, Nick Cousins, Ivan Provorov and Sean Couturier had bonanza nights. Couturier had two goals, both of which were set up by Konency, while Cousins had a pair of assists and Provorov earned his first NHL point.
The Flyers overcame a sluggish start to erupt for four second-period goals on the Kings in their home opener.
This was the first time the Flyers opened the season in California since Oct. 11, 1967 — their first game ever — against the Oakland Seals. They lost that game, 5-1, at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena.
In celebration of their 50th anniversary, the Kings wore an adaptation of their original purple and gold uniforms.
Openers
The Flyers are now 22-19-8 in season openers. The Flyers came in 0-3-1 in season openers over their previous four years. As for road openers, they improved to 21-16-12.
Ceremonies
The Kings had members of their 1967-68 club on hand for their special 50th anniversary ceremony, which pushed the start time to almost 11 p.m. Eastern. Hockey Hall of Fame broadcaster Jiggs McDonald, the original voice of the Kings, will guest broadcast select games this season and was on hand for this game. So was the famed Triple Crown Line — Dave Taylor, Marcel Dionne and Charlie Simmer and even Wayne Gretzky.
Patch
The Flyers wore a black patch on the left sleeve of their uniforms bearing Ed Snider’s signature.
Rookies
Provorov had a rough outing with the puck on his stick in the first period. Konency got banged hard along the boards by Andy Andreoff. Konency got an assist on Couturier’s second-period goal. Konecny’s blind, backhand pass set up Couturier’s second goal later in the period that made it 3-0. Provorov got his first NHL assist on a Mark Streit goal late in the period.
Notable goals
Got to love the move Couturier put on goalie Jeff Zatkoff to take a rebound and backhand the puck inside the post on him.
No goal
Wayne Simmonds interfered with Zatkoff in the third period, wiping out a Flyers power-play goal.
Shots
After just four shots in the first period, the Flyers outshot the Kings 21-9 in the second.
Goalie report
Surprise starter Michal Neuvirth was solid in the net with 23 saves. He made the saves he had to, did a good job seeing the puck through traffic and handling rebounds. He had a key save on Nick Shore’s 15-foot wrister in the second period shortly after a Kings power play ended. Less than a minute later, Boyd Gordon scored for the Flyers.
Power play
The second unit had an excellent chance late in the first period off a dime pass by Konecny to Streit at the right post. The puck fluttered, so his one-timer wasn’t as crisp and Zatkoff appeared to deflect the puck as it was over the goal line.
Penalty kill
It was good in the preseason at 93.0 percent and good in this game, shutting down the Kings' power play. The Flyers' PK unit came up big in the third period.
Injuries
Shayne Gostisbehere had a huge cut across his face and bridge of his nose from a skate cut by Kyle Clifford early in the game. Clifford was tripped and his back leg caught Ghost across the face and under his shield.
Scratches
Brayden Schenn and Radko Gudas are suspended. Scott Laughton and Michael Del Zotto both have knee injuries. Roman Lyubimov was healthy. The Kings were without goalie Jonathan Quick, who could be sidelined several months with a tear in his groin/abdomen and Marian Gaborik (fractured foot).
Up next
The Flyers departed after the game for Glendale, Arizona, where they will meet the Coyotes on Saturday night in the second half of this back-to-back set to start the season.
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