Flyers Rally To Tie Game, but Lose in Overtime in Cam Atkinson’s Preseason Debut

Saturday night was Atkinson's first game since the 2021-22 season.

Cam Atkinson had to wait a few extra days to make his return to the Philadelphia Flyers' lineup, but he finally got his chance against the New Jersey Devils Saturday night at Wells Fargo Center.

His squad lost the tilt by a score of 3-2 after Erik Haula netted the game-winner for the Devils in overtime, but Atkinson's return served as a small victory for the Flyers in their first home game of the preseason.

"It feels good. The first period was a little dicey, but I honestly didn't feel too bad other than my timing," Atkinson told the media after the game.

"I feel comfortable out there, and I feel like the more games I play the more comfortable and better I'm gonna get."

Atkinson missed the entire 2022-23 season recovering from surgery that repaired a herniated disc in the C6-C7 area of his spine. Itching to get back onto the ice with his teammates, the hope was that he'd return to the lineup on Monday — the same night Sean Couturier made his long-awaited return after missing nearly two years — but he was held out due to lower-body soreness.

While rusty, Atkinson still managed to show flashes of his pre-injury self. He finished the game with three shots on goal and over 20 minutes of ice time.

"Just getting the first game out of the way is good," said Atkinson. "I'm pretty sure I'm playing Monday, and it'll be a lot better."

After logging a goal, an assist and a filthy shootout tally against the Boston Bruins Friday night, youngster Bobby Brink continued his strong play in his second game in as many nights.

Early in the first period, he set up Wade Allison for the icebreaker with a nice backhand feed. Defenseman Emil Andrae set up the play with a nice breakout pass from the Flyers' blue line.

It wasn't a flawless night for Brink, though. He was guilty of an ugly turnover late in the opening frame that led to a Devils two-man breakaway, but Carter Hart bailed him out with a massive desperation save.

Brink has been one of the Flyers' best players throughout the preseason. Originally not expected to make the Flyers out of training camp, the 22-year-old is making a real case to force his way onto the roster.

"I though he had a good first period. He made a great play on our first goal. I thought he faded a bit in the second period, and then I thought he played very well again in the third period, so he kind of came back and fought through it," Flyers assistant coach Rocky Thompson told the media after the game.

"All in all, he grinded through it, and that was positive."

Hart, in his first game action of the preseason, was solid in net against the Devils. He was tested with several high-danger scoring chances, but made multiple difficult stops to keep the Flyers in the game. Hart finished the night with 19 saves on 22 shots.

"It's nice to get in there. I haven't played a game in five months or whatever it is, so it's been a long time. That's what preseason's for, is to get in there, shake off the rust and work on your game and dial it in come regular season," Hart told the media after the game.

Andrae also had a busy night. Not only did he log his first point of the preseason with his helper on Allison's goal, but he also led all Flyers skaters with 23:49 of ice time. The coaches made it a point to give the young blueliner some extra reps, and he took advantage of them.

"I thought he had a really good third period," said Thompson. "I like how he handles things. He doesn't get down on himself or anything. He just kind of goes about his business."

Andrae's night didn't come without a couple blemishes. The Devils' first goal of the night was made possible by an Andrae shot that was blocked just as a Flyers power play expired. New Jersey forward Tyce Thompson exited the box, picked up the loose puck and set up Curtis Lazar for the score with Andrae sprawled on the ice hoping to block the passing lane.

Overall, though, Andrae's performance was encouraging.

"He's obviously a young player, but he's got a lot of talent, a lot of skill and he's not afraid to make plays," said Hart. "I think he's gonna be a really good player in this league."

The Flyers will return to action Monday night to take on the Bruins at Wells Fargo Center. Puck drops at 7 p.m. ET.