Eye Test
With Ryan Ellis out for another game, Nick Seeler has done a very admirable job filling in. He’s another solid depth signing by Chuck Fletcher. The Flyers looked tired, and it was not surprising given that it was their third game in four nights. The Calgary Flames are a very good team, and they were clearly the better team tonight. You could feel the Flyers did not have the energy to start this game. I would throw the game tape out for this game with the exception for Carter Hart’s performance. Too much Flyers after dark.
Spreadsheet Says
The Flyers were heavily outshot by the Flames (36-20). It is hard to win games, especially when it is your 3rd game in 4 nights on the Western Canadian road trip, let alone against a team with one regulation loss in 6 games. Carter Hart saving 32 of 35 and one goal coming late with the game already in the bag is a solid outing. This is a game he can get confidence from and continue to build upon for future outings. The Sean Couturier-Claude Giroux-Travis Konecny line had 4 shots each which contributed 60% of the Flyers’ shots. It was not a great game from the Flyers’ supporting lines.
Things I Loved
Justin Braun coming to Ivan Provorov’s defense when Matthew Tkachuk was on a warpath. Braun has been a quality addition and with Ryan Ellis out, has been great to start the season. I didn’t love this game but if you told me the Flyers would get 4 out of 6 points on this road trip, I would’ve been happy. That is exactly what happened. Hart was the best Flyer and when your goalie is your best player, you have a chance to win every game.
Things I Hated
Getting shut out is never good. Only having 20 shots on net is nearly unforgivable. Jacob Markstrom did not have to stand on his head to get the shutout. It is his third shutout of the year and second in a row.
Calgary head coach Darryl Sutter is known for having a structured team defense. He won two Stanley Cups in Los Angeles with it. This has been a very good start to Calgary’s season, and coaching matters. Giving up the late goal to former fan and future Flyer Johnny Gaudreau was annoying. Not backchecking at the end of the game to help your goalie, who had a solid game, is something that the coaching staff will not enjoy.
The Flyers had given up two 3rd period goals going into this game and ended up letting in three 3rd period goals in this game, one coming with the goalie pulled. It’s not a trend that needs to continue. Giving up five power plays is not ideal against a team with good offensive talent like Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, and Elias Lindholm, among others.
I know the Scott Laughton-Oskar Lindblom-James van Riemsdyk line has been given most of their zone starts in the defensive zone, but I would like them to pick it up a little more. All three players are better when they are mixing it up physically. I need to see more of that from them.
Random Thoughts
Zach MacEwen’s lip sweater is fantastic. Straight Carcilloian.
The rumor is that Jack Eichel is going to be traded to Vegas. I am excited for Vegas to send 4 players named after extras from I Think You Should Leave skits (specifically the Charades skit from season 1) for Eichel. Could you imagine if you tanked for an entire year only to get the second overall pick and then not add NHL level talent to the team the next 6 years, and then use that player as the scapegoat for the state of the team? If former Flyer Nolan Patrick is a part of the return, even better.
Reese’s anything is a god-tier candy. Happy Halloween!
