The Philadelphia Flyers lost to the Chicago Blackhawks, 7-4, on Sunday. What started as a fun back-and-forth game quickly transpired into a blowout.
Each team scored three goals in the first period. It was a period that was a dream for fans, and a nightmare for coaches. There were a lot of unforced errors and weak goals allowed by both netminders.
Then, the second period happened. The Blackhawks continued to score. In fact, they scored three more goals, and the Flyers were only able to come up with one goal. Flyers netminder Ivan Fedotov stood out in the worst way this period, and likely buried the club from being able to truly compete. While it was just a two-goal lead against one of the worst teams in the league, the vibes were certainly not there.
Finally, the third period began, but this one felt over from the start. If there were any fans left with an inkling of hope, that hope was put to bed just barely two minutes into the final stanza. Chicago scored again, and rode their three-goal lead to a win that ended their seven-game losing streak.
Despite the blowout, the Flyers still achieved a few positive outcomes. Matvei Michkov had another multi-point game. He earned his 29th and 30th assists on the season. These points also earned him some historical feats amongst other Flyers rookies, per NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jordan Hall:
Travis Sanheim scored a goal, overcoming a 40-game (!!!) goal drought. Tyson Foerster and Noah Cates ended their 9-game point droughts when they connected on the Flyers third goal. Additionally, Jamie Drysdale also earned two assists in Sunday’s matinee, an encouraging sign that he is continuing to take the next step offensively. In a year of a rebuild, sometimes the best kinds of games are ones where players who need to score end up scoring, but still lose. The losses that are piling up may be a tough pill to swallow now, but if that lands the Flyers at a better spot in the draft, fans may have a center to be excited about since Claude Giroux.
FIRST PERIOD
Score: 3-3
Shots: 11-9 PHI
Faceoff %: 67-33 PHI
After maintaining possession of the puck, Michkov was able to get the puck the Drysdale at the point. He slung a shot that was going wide. However, the puck found something that redirected the puck into the back of the net. It’s the kind of luck the Flyers have just not gotten over the last few weeks. Additionally, it was the kind of bounce that Travis Konecny was not getting as he experienced a 13-game goal drought between February 8th and March 22nd.
Chicago had an answer of their own just a few minutes after the Flyers goal. Of course, it was former Flyers draft pick Pat Maroon.
The Blackhawks would then quickly strike a second time, just over 45 seconds apart from one another. These are the type of goals that Fedotov would want back.
Thankfully, Sanheim tied this game up at 2-2 within 15 seconds, and also ended his 40-game goal drought.
The Cates line went to work, as they usually do, but were able to come up with a goal as a result of said work. Cates got and retained space down the left wall, and was able to throw a seem through multiple opponents. It was a poorly defended play, as Bobby Brink was able to get multiple cracks at the puck without much pushback before finding the back of the net.
Then, Connor Bedard quickly reminded us why he is a highly-touted up-and-coming forward. Off a draw at the faceoff, Bedard, in one sweeping motion, collected the puck and rifled it past Fedotov to tie things up before the end of the period.
SECOND PERIOD
Score: 6-4 CHI
Shots: 25-20 CHI
Faceoff %: 53.1 – 46.9 PHI
Early on in the second period, Tyler Bertuzzi found himself on the scoresheet. You can tell that whoever was responsible for covering him lost him, because no one should have this much time and space from high-danger scoring areas.
Here is where the game really became out of hand. Maybe not out of reach, but these types of sequences make it difficult when you are already down on the scoresheet. Michkov and Sean Couturier were both sent to the sin bin for tripping. Giving one of the better power play units in the league a full 5-on-3 is likely not a good strategy, and they showed us why.
John Tortorella had taken a timeout with about 10:28 remaining in the period. The Flyers had two shots on net, and the Blackhawks had two goals. Something needed to give. While I maintain my concern with Tortorella as head coach for this Flyers club, this was a moment where you need to recognize his talent. Undeniably, the timeout worked. Off of a set play, the Flyers won the faceoff clean and sent a puck towards the net that Konecny redirected past the goaltender, cutting the lead back down to one.
Unfortunately, that was not enough. The Blackhawks went back to the powerplay. Teuvo Teräväinen and Ryan Donato reconnected on a similar slap-pass and redirect and finished it just the same, restoring their two-goal lead.
THIRD PERIOD
Score: 7-4 CHI
Shots: 29-28 CHI
Faceoff %: 58 – 42 PHI
If there was any chance the Flyers could bounce back (again), this sealed it. Lukas Reichel strolled down the middle of the ice and ripped a shot past Fedotov. Like many of the seven goals, this was another save Fedotov could not provide.
UP NEXT
The Flyers will conclude their road trip on Tuesday when they take on the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena (7:00pm ET; NBCSP).
You must be logged in to post a comment Login