Another game, another loss for your Philadelphia Flyers. The orange and black are now 1-5-0 in their last six games and 4-6-1 in their last eleven games. Let’s wrap on all the sights and sounds of game:
Seconds In
It didn’t take long for the Flyers to be chasing the game. Just 24 seconds into the contest, the Senators’ top line got on the scoresheet with a goal from Brady Tkachuk. After a neutral zone turnover, Ottawa went to work in transition with two quick passes from Tim Stutzle and Claude Giroux. It was Stutzle’s patience with the puck that caught Philadelphia lacking and once Giroux received the disc, he spotted the wide-open Tkachuk.
Despite the Flyers ability to come back in games, an early goal against like that can set the tone for entire night. Philadelphia’s margins for error are likely to be very thin for the rest of the season.
Activation
At the 8:45 mark of the middle frame, Rodrigo Abols potted his second NHL goal to tie the game. Cam York tallied the primary assist on the goal and now owns a five-game point streak (3g-3a) against the Senators. Jakub Pelletier assisted on the goal as well, which is his second assist since the trade to Philadelphia.
“I think it’s important in these days of hockey that the D are active to create offense, creates confusion,” Abols said. “I just tried to get open, and he found me good in the slot. I think that whole shift was something for our line that we can build on. Me personally, I don’t think I was good enough the first two games and my energy level wasn’t there, feet weren’t there. Had a good day yesterday, it was a sunny day so got some vitamin D. That’s Important for me to earn my shifts here.”
Of course, that was not only a big goal in the game, but also personally for all three players. York has found himself in the doghouse recently with the coaching staff, while Abols and Pelletier are looking to nail to a spot on the club. It was the kind of play the Flyers haven’t made enough of in their recent slump.
Sink or Save
It’s no secret the Flyers’ goaltending has been poor for most of the season, but Ottawa’s late second period goal is a good example of the club needing a save and not getting it. Philadelphia had successfully killed off a penalty in a tie game, only to gift a goal to Ottawa a few moments later.
“Well once we tie it up I think we need to save,” John Tortorella said. “I thought Feds made some really big saves, but we’re trying to get traction and trying to get momentum, and they score right after. Especially the third one, that hurts. But I think
we have some chances.”
Of course, Fedotov was obviously far from the only issue in this game. The Flyers had some chances as well, notably the tic-tack-toe passing sequence that Mathew Highmore made an outstanding defensive play on to prevent Sean Couturier from scoring a goal.
You can see that play here.
Nevertheless, the Flyers need more from their goaltenders, especially with how the club is designed at present time.
They Said It
John Tortorella on Jamie Drysdale’s Play: “Skating really well. Skating well. You can tell he feels it. In the offense, closing out plays, doing some really good things. Gets rewarded.”
Rodrigo Abols on Trying to Earn a spot in the Flyers Lineup: “For sure, obviously coming in, it’s a tough situation. We get rid of guys who have been established to the room so just trying to step in, not worry about next year, just worry about earning my next shift. I don’t think I did that the first few games, today was better and that’s something I want to build on and see where it goes.”
Jamie Drysdale on if the team is Trending the Right Way: “Yeah, it’s tough when you feel like it’s coming on. I felt like we had a chance to win tonight, obviously we don’t get the job done so it’s no fun, but look at the positive. We’ll get a win here soon.”
Nick Seeler on the Flyers Five Game Losing Skid: “It’s obviously a very frustrating stretch. I thought we competed, I think we are supporting the puck a lot better. We just need to get out of this together.”
Cam York on Creating More Offense: “I feel like some plays have been there for me, they just haven’t gone in the net. Just going to continue to chip away at it and hopefully we’ll see more fall.”
Did You Know?
According to NHL stats, Jamie Drysdale becomes the third Flyers defenseman age 22 or younger in the past five years to score in consecutive games, joining Philippe Myers (3 GP in 2019-20) and Cam York (2 GP in 2023-24).
On Deck
The Flyers will solider on through their homestand on Thursday night, when they play host to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. and will be broadcast locally on NBCSP.
