So the losing streak has now reached ten, and the Philadelphia Flyers are looking worse for wear as the streak continues. The New Jersey Devils did what New Jersey always manages to do against the Flyers and essentially shut them out from start to finish in a mundane game. The Devils won this one 3-0 with a two-goal second period being the dagger for the Flyers.
FIRST PERIOD
It wasn’t the prettiest first period but the Flyers were definitely happy to take a 0-0 game into the intermission. It was typical Flyers-Devils hockey, with a lot of dump and chasing, minimal offensive chances, and kind of a snooze fest but definitely something the Flyers were okay with considering their last few weeks.
The offensive issues persisted yet again as offensive pressure was minimal to the point of extinction. The Flyers were only outshot 11-9 but it seemed far worse considering the quality of chances. They had a few shots to start the period but all of them were from the outside or severe angles to just get the puck on net. The Devils on the other hand were the far superior team, their chances came during and after their first power play. Coming off back to back disappointing starts, Carter Hart looked a lot better and much more composed as he was able to stop everything that came his way.
SECOND PERIOD
The second period, which is not so welcoming for the Flyers who were -18 heading into this game, started as you would expect with some slow play leading to a Devils goal. Off a defensive zone face-off win, the Devils showed the Flyers how it’s done with ease. Damon Severson passed it to Jesper Bratt, who had no problem getting out of the zone and into the Flyers end. He was able to dust off Travis Sanheim, found Nico Hischier on the other side of the ice, who sent it towards the net and it deflected to a wide open Bratt who wired a shot top shelf past Hart.
5 minutes later on a power play that was predominantly in the Flyers zone, the Devils were able to hem the penalty killing unit for a lengthy shift and took full advantage. Lots of pretty passing, shot attempts, and flurries in front of the net, but once settled again Ty Smith and Jesper Bratt played pitch and catch. Smith takes a simple shot towards a screened Hart and it found the stick of Dawson Mercer who was able to deflect it past Hart to make it 2-0.
The Flyers had a few chances but nothing too severe, which included another power play that wasn’t able to generate much. Their best chance that came off their second power play came off a Devils stick shorthanded. The Devils seemingly made it 3-0 as Pavel Zacha was able to deflect a puck past a sprawling Hart but after further review, it was deemed offside and Mike Yeo starts his Flyers coaching tenure going 1 for 1 on reviews.
THIRD PERIOD
That was all the scoring the Devils needed to truly shut the Flyers out as the third period was yet another snooze fest. The offense that scored five goals on Monday night was completely non-existent in this one. The Devils didn’t allow the Flyers any time and space and subsequently they weren’t able to produce any scoring chances. New Jersey got an empty net goal from Micheal McLeod as they wrapped this game up with a pretty bow.
The Devils received goals from Jesper Bratt, Dawson Mercer, and Michael McLeod, while receiving assists from Nico Hischier, Damon Severson, Jesper Bratt, Ty Smith, Jack Hughes, and Yegor Sharangovich. Mackenzie Blackwood recorded his second shutout of the season, making 25 saves.
For the Flyers this list is short and sweet as they didn’t have a standout player. Carter Hart did the best he could to keep his team in the game as he stopped 24 of 26 shots, but the quality of chances weren’t there and their two power plays were non-existent. After what seemed like a nice turnaround offensively on Monday night, it came crashing down to reality tonight.
The Flyers have now scored one goal or fewer five times in their last eight games, have been shut out four times now, and this was only the second win for the Devils in eight games. Both of those wins gave come at the hands of Philadelphia.
UP NEXT…
Up next for the Flyers is a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday against the Vegas Golden Knights and Arizona Coyotes, beginning with Vegas on Friday at T-Mobile Arena. The longest winless streak in franchise history is 12, so there’s a chance that could be reached by week’s end.
