Highlights Beyond Highlights- Feb. 4 vs. Utah

The Flyers got out of Salt Lake City with a point on Tuesday, as they continue to play with a bit of a patchwork lineup while awaiting the arrivals of Andrei Kuzmenko and Jakob Pelletier. Here are a few little things that stood out in the contest.

Here’s a first-period effort by Bobby Brink, as he wins a puck along the left side and then is able to sashay his way right in on net. This is the type of play the Flyers are hoping with start to come from Brink with more and more regularity.

Emil Andrae had a strong game, especially the first period when he was credited with four shots on goal. This is one of them, clipped to point out the sneakiness that this shot has – it comes from close into his body and without hardly any load-up, and is the kind of shot that can catch a goalie by surprise in the right circumstances.

Erik Johnson continues to provide a steadying presence to the Flyers lineup. Here are two clips where he breaks up dangerous scoring chances. In the first one, he sees the play developing far ahead of any other Flyers and he backs off in order to ensure they’ll have it under control. He directs traffic, but after the Utah player is able to squeak by down the wall anyway, he very effectively takes away the passing lane out in front.

Later on in the contest, EJ breaks up another centering pass in similar fashion. On this occasion, he is down and ready to block it before the Utah player even starts making the play in the first place.

And finally, one of the most subtle little plays you’ll see in this feature space, coming during Utah’s early third period power play. Nick Schmaltz finds his way into space in the slot and is poised for a high-danger chance, but Noah Cates just efficiently gives him a little stick flick that causes the puck to slide right by. It doesn’t always have to be a giant stick check.