Vigneault puts his trust in goalie Lyon
PHILADELPHIA >> One night after Brian Elliott helped the Flyers defeat the reigning Stanley Cup champions in overtime, Alain Vigneault showed his appreciation.
He gave his only available deeply seasoned NHL goaltender the night off against the visiting Montreal Canadiens.
With an abdominal injury continuing to sideline Carter Hart, Vigneault went with Alex Lyon in net. Lyon, 27, and 12 previous games of NHL experience, but had been 19-17-3 for AHL Lehigh Valley this season.
“It was back-to-back games,” Vigneault explained. “And we’ve had a lot of games. Brian had a good game (Wednesday) night, but it was not our easiest travel. And it was in a different time zone. So it will be Alex.”
Lyon last played for the Flyers in December of 2018, logging 51 minutes in a loss to Vancouver. He did appear in 11 games of the 2017-2018 season, going 4-2-1, including a 3-2 victory over the Canadiens in February.
In Lyon’s most recent appearance with the Phantoms Saturday, he made 37 saves in a 2-0 victory over Laval.
“Alex has put in a lot of time,” Vigneault said. “He spent the summer here in Philly to work out. I thought he had a good camp. And he’s been playing well. This is the best start he has had in Lehigh Valley. He is just coming off a shutout. And he deserved a chance to play.”
Elliott made 30 saves in a 4-3 victory Wednesday in St. Louis.
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Joel Farabee, 19, was back with the Flyers Thursday after a brief demotion to the AHL. In a corresponding move, Chris Stewart was loaned to the Phantoms.
“I mean I think it’s just part of being a team,” said Farabee, who had been in a nine-game scoreless slide. “I think sometimes situations like this happen. You just have to be ready to go. And now that I’m back, it is just focusing on what I do and what I have to do to help the team.”
Farabee was immediately sent to the left wing on fourth line with Connor Bunnaman and Tyler Pitlick, replacing Stewart. Earlier this season, he had risen to a spot on the No. 1 line.
“As the season has gone on, my role has changed maybe a little here and there,” Farabee said. “Whatever role I’m put into, I just need to be prepared.”
It took Farabee 18:47 to snap his slump Thursday, scoring his fourth goal of the season to give the Flyers a 1-0 lead. Pitlick and Bunnaman assisted.
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The topic, while relevant, was a little uncomfortable to Vigneault at first.
“We have the Habs tonight,” he said in friendly protest as it arose before the game.
Just the same, it was one he could not easily ignore. So what is it, anyway, with all the NHL coaching changes this season, six already before the All-Star break?
“I think there was a couple years back were there wasn’t a turn-over in the whole season,” the Flyers’ coach said. “These are cycles. It’s sports. It’s just not in hockey. It’s all sports. It’s a beautiful business even if there is a lot of this going around today.
“You know, coaching is a different business, but it’s great,” he added. “You are surrounded by great people. And you know that when you get into it at some point you are going to lose your job. That’s just part of it. You’ve just got to go in there, do what you think is right and do it to your fullest. And that’s what I am trying to do here.” • • •
Veteran defenseman Justin Braun, out since Jan. 4 with a groin injury, is likely to return Saturday when the Los Angeles Kings visit at 7.
“I’m very optimistic that he will,” Vigneault said. “He’s been ahead of schedule. He’s been skating on his own. He’s been practicing with us. We’re obviously not going to skate tomorrow, but I am confident if he has a good morning skate Saturday, there’s a good chance he’ll be there.”
Braun has two goals and eight assists in 42 games.
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Vigneault has been pleased with the play of second-year defenseman Mark Friedman.
“I’ve liked it,” the coach said. “On our depth chart, he’s our ninth or
10th defenseman. He’s come in and he’s competed real hard and he’s played well in every game he’s played against real tough opposition. He’s looked very comfortable.”
In his four games before Thursday, Friedman had one assist.