Despite a diligent checking effort to open the game, Philadelphia falls for the fifth consecutive game, this time, against the Eastern Conference leading Boston Bruins. Let’s wrap on the contest:
First Period
Plus: Noah Cates went in all alone for a breakaway on Bruins’ goaltender Linus Ullmark at the 16:12 mark of the opening frame for a scoring chance. It was a heads-up pass from Zack McEwen, who spotted Cates from across the ice for the feed. It was one the Flyers better looks at the net in the game.
Minus: There a few instances here – like at the 9:18 mark when Travis Konecny got a couple unchecked cracks at the net – that the Bruins uncharacteristically turned pucks over unforced and the Flyers failed to capitalize. It was a frustrating night for them that way.
Second Period
Minus: Hampus Lindholm sliced and diced through the neutral zone for a zone entry. When the puck was finally knocked away from him, it ended up on the stick of Pavel Zacha who then found Nick Foligno. Foligno attempted maneuver around the Flyers defense and when he did, Carter Hart lost his net. The veteran then found a cutting Tomas Nosek who then scored. The goal came at the 11:25 mark of the middle frame and was Nosek’s second of the season.
Minus: Travis Konecny looked to be in noticeable pain when his hand inadvertently contacted a Bruins player. He left the Flyers bench and did not return to the game. It’s no secret that the Flyers lack depth now and losing Konecny for any length of time would be a devasting blow to this team, especially since the 25-year-old has been consistently the most threatening Flyers forward on a nightly basis.
Third Period
Minus: Despite getting a powerplay goal from Owen Tippett at the 9:48 mark of the final frame, the Flyers would give it right back just 16 seconds later when David Krejci beat Hart on a mini breakaway to help Boston regain a two-goal advantage. Krejci would tack one more for good measure to put the game on ice for the Bruins, who continue to look impressive.
Here’s the thing for the orange and black.
Special Teams have been negatively impacting the games for Philadelphia. At times, the powerplay looks listless and generic. The penalty kill, which began the season as a strength, is struggling mightily as of late. Sure, Boston was able to overpower the Flyers on talent and depth alone alone, but the orange and black were very much in this game for a large portion of it. Their inability to finish off scoring chances and effectively kill penalties is hampering them in a big way.
And unfortunately, there isn’t immediate help on the way any time soon.
Quick Hits
- Morgan Frost won 8-of-12 in the face-off dot and tied Kevin Hayes for most shots in the game for the Flyers with four.
- According to Bill Meltzer, going into this past weekend, the Flyers were 4th in the NHL on the penalty kill at a shade below 84 percent. But after going 4-for-11 in the last four games, they’ve plummeted to 28th (75.9 percent).
What’s Next
The Flyers will finish their game road trip in Montreal when they the Canadiens for the first time this season on Saturday night for a 7:00 puck drop.
