Flyers Postgame Blog: Special Teams Struggles; No Answer for Red Wings’ Stars
· Yahoo Sports
Like Philadelphia Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet said postgame, “Their best players played better than our best players.” That was one of the many things that led to the Flyers’ downfall on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings.
The Flyers had a decent first period, one that looked like they could come away with the win. However, it was a special teams disaster class in the second period that put the Red Wings up 4-2 heading into the second intermission.
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The Flyers had a chance to make a push in the third period, especially with Cam Talbot entering the game for John Gibson late in the second period. However, the Flyers never really pushed it, and could not score until the very end, when it was far too late.
It was an ugly, forgettable night for the Flyers, who now have to find the ability to move on quickly before it’s too late.
Read More: Special Teams Took Over in Flyers Disastrous Loss vs. Red Wings
Special teams doomed the Flyers
Special teams doomed the Flyers on Thursday. Alex DeBrincat opened the game with a pretty impressive near-side top-shelf power-play goal. While the goal was skillful, he should never have been able to get that close to the net. The PK did not do its job.
At the first intermission, Christian Dvorak told the NBC broadcast that if they stay out of the box, they can win the game. That did not happen.
Detroit had four total power plays on Thursday. They scored on three of them. Their first four goals all came on special teams. The Flyers were on the power play to end the first period, but a roughing and cross-check in a post-whistle scrum made it even strength.
That eventually turned into a 5-on-4 Red Wings’ advantage. It quickly became 5-on-3, and the Red Wings scored on both.
Their penalty kill even got on the board with Dylan Larkin scoring a short-handed goal.
The Flyers had SIX chances on the power play. SIX. It’s not like the officials were giving Detroit all of the chances. The Flyers had plenty of opportunities to score on the power play, but only found one goal.
No answer for Larkin or the Red Wings’ stars
Dylan Larkin had himself a night. The Red Wings’ captain scored a hat trick on Thursday. It pushed him to a career-high in goals. It was the type of performance a desperate team needed from one of their best players.
He was not the only one who showed up. Alex DeBrincat looked like a force from the very start. While he may not have been high on the stat sheet, he looked dangerous all game.
Mo Seider had five points on Thursday, scoring a goal and tallying four assists. Patrick Kane had a goal and two assists as well.
The Red Wings had their stars come out to play when they needed them the most. That is something the Flyers could have used, and will need desperately on Saturday vs. the Jets.
Dan Vladar looked a bit tired
Thursday night was a big game for the Flyers. So naturally, the Flyers started their No. 1 netminder. Dan Vladar had made the last three starts for the Flyers. With a day off between games, that seemed to be enough for Vladar to make his fourth consecutive start.
The thing that people have to remember with Vladar is that he was a career backup. Before this season, his career high in games played was 30. Thursday was his 50th game of the season. Vladar has smashed his career high, so naturally, he’s going to be worn down.
On Thursday, Vladar faced 8 shots on goal and let 4 of them in. Granted, all of them were special teams goals. The first 3 games on the power play, and the 4th was a shorty on a breakaway. I do think if Vladar were a little better rested, he’d have made one or two more stops.
You cannot fully blame Vladar for the 4 goals against, but it’s not hard to question if he were better rested, would he be able to make a few more stops?
Vladar’s night ended just under 5 minutes into the second period when Ersson came in to replace him.
Martone gets the second multi-point game of his career
Porter Martone made his return to Michigan on Thursday. He played like one of the better Flyers on the ice once again.
Martone had the second multi-point game of his career on Thursday vs. the Red Wings. The first was on Sunday vs. the Bruins. It was one of the lone bright spots for the Flyers on Thursday.
Martone led the way for Philly in scoring with his goal and assist. He had the blast from the high slot that was redirected by Christian Dvorak for the team’s first goal of the game. Martone also jammed home the power-play goal
Playing in Detroit, Martone had his Michigan State teammates in the stands watching the game. It was a good reminder that the guy who is now a point-per-game player in his early career had his college career wrap up two weeks ago. Mighty impressive from the youngster.
Playoff chances update
It was not all bad news on Thursday.
While the Flyers’ loss was devastating, their magic number still fell to six points. Since the Blue Jackets lost in regulation, the Flyers still control their own destiny. If they win out, they’re in.
The loss does take Saturday out of the realm of possibility for clinching scenarios. But, if the Flyers win the next two games, the Islanders only win one of their next two, and the Blue Jackets do not win their next two, the Flyers could punch their ticket on Monday.
Read More: Scoreboard Watching: The Flyers’ Best-Case Scenario on Thursday
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