Hayes made Allison’s first NHL goal an easy one
Wade Allison buried a sizzling cross ice pass from Kevin Hayes to record his first NHL goal Saturday, helping the Flyers close to within a goal early in the third period.
Before long, however, the visiting Washington Capitals would be marching off Wells Fargo Center ice with a 6-3 victory in tow as the Flyers made another positive step toward their NHL Draft Lottery fate.
Hayes relayed a perfect pass on the Claude Giroux to Allison, who looked like a seasoned veteran on the play. On a team that needs to look toward the future, Allison might eventually play a significant role.
“I’m going to have to go out and buy Hayesy a dinner,” said Allison, playing just his second NHL game. “Because it doesn’t get much easier than that one.”
•••
Flyers forward Oskar Lindblom would love to share a little more of his survivor story to others stricken with cancer.
But with the season winding down, Lindblom knows the best he can do right now is stand front and center when the Flyers roll out their Hockey Fights Cancer tribute Sunday night at Wells Fargo Center.
From the collector player warmup jerseys and special edition sticks to be auctioned off, the proceeds benefiting local cancer initiatives to the towel giveaway and some words from Lindblom, the Flyers have it covered courageously and sensitively, as only they can do.
Even the opponent Sunday, the Islanders, will feel the emotion before they take the ice as it will be obvious how much the backing of the Flyers has helped Lindblom battle through to the other side.
“It meant everything, especially at the start,” said of the Flyers’ support. “I had a tough time to just live my normal life and stay positive. I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done for me.
“As long as I can spread the word just a little bit and help some people, I’m happy to do it.”
Cindy Stutman, the senior vice president of business operations and executive director of Flyers Charities, can’t wait for the ceremonies to begin.
“This year for sure, it’s a lot more personal,” Stutman said on a videoconference
call. “Oskar has been successful in overcoming Ewing’s sarcoma and we’re real excited to make him a big part of the celebration because of the great news he’s gotten staying cancer free. It’s going to be a great night.”
• • •
NOTES » In addition to Carter Hart’s lower body injury, the Flyers reported that forward Tanner Laczynski has a lower-body injury and forward Nolan Patrick isn’t all the way back after getting hit in the head by a puck Thursday. … Alex Lyon, who started in place of Hart in a 6-3 loss Saturday to the Capitals. is the 147th goaltender that Caps captain Alex Ovechkin has scored on in the NHL. … Just an incredible sequence near the end of the second period by 44-year-old Caps defenseman Zdeno Chara to keep his team ahead, 4-2, entering the final frame. On the penalty kill, Chara was wobbled by a Kevin Hayes rocket off his right ankle. On one leg, he swatted a hanging puck out of the crease and blocked another shot. Incredibly, the 6-9, 250-pound giant came out for the third period. … Ivan Provorov tallied the 50th goal of his five-year NHL career.