Five Flyers Observations: Nolan Patrick breaks the secondary streak

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With 5:58 remaining in the second period, Nolan Patrick scored to break the secondary forward scoring drought. The drought lasted for a total of two weeks to the day. As the last Flyers goal scored by a forward not name Giroux, Voracek, or Couturier, was Dale Weise against the Avalanche, two Saturday’s ago.

Patrick scored after great pressure from the Flyers top line. During the mix of a line change, Sean Couturier came to the bench with the Flyers were still in the zone and Patrick jumped on. He immediately went to the net, where he found the loose puck and shelved it backhanded to beat Mike Smith.

“I didn’t feel rusty just a little more flow to this game,” Patrick said, “I think last game there was a seven minute straight penalty in the first period there and kind of disrupted the flow to get your legs in the game, so I felt good tonight.”

This is Patrick’s second game since returning from his lengthy stay on the IR due to his lingering concussion. However, unlike Thursday in Winnipeg, Patrick looked fast and more apart of this game.

“I thought Nolan played a good hockey game tonight.” Coach Hakstol said.

Here are 4 more observations from the Flyers 5-4 OTL to the Flames…

Defense Scoring

Another part of the Flyers great start that went missing was the defenseman offensive zone pressure. When the Flyers were getting balanced scoring, it was being set up by the defense. Flyers defensemen were leading game after game in shots on net. This is something that went missing too.

The Flyers got back some relieve today as two Flyers defenseman scored. Brandon Manning lit the lamp first for the Flyers defense corp on the day. Manning got a shot through from the point that hit the post, then the back of Calgary goalie Mike Smith, into the back of the net.

Then, with 3:52 left in the 1st, Provorov got a seeing eye shot through to break a 10 game goal-less drought. Provorov has been the Flyers best defenseman all year, but his scoring has been mute over the last 8 games.

https://twitter.com/NHLDaily365/status/931963053129846784

Too Many Penalties

Penalties have been racking up for the Flyers the last couple of games. Over the last 5 games the Flyers are averaging taking 5 penalties a game. This sloppy play has lead to more 4 on 4 time for the team. However, they have been doing a great job killing the penalties. Coming into today, the Flyers penalty kill was 14 of 15 in last five.

“I don’t know. I think, collectively, we have been pretty disciplined.” Gostisbehere said, “Just the past couple games, it’s gotten away from us a bit.”

However, today was a different story on the success of the penalty kill. The Flyers were penalized five times today, nothing different than the last five games. On those five powerplays, Calgary scored on three of them. The success of the Flyers penalty kill was not present today.

“They scored on their power plays so we had control of the game until we started taking penalties and went to the box.” Simmonds said, “Our penalty kills gotta do a better job there and we gotta take less penalties, the best penalty kill is taking no penalties.”

 

Jordan Weal
Jordan Weal missed today’s game against the Flames due to an upper-body injury. The injury is believed to have happened when Weal was hit high in center ice by Jets Dustin Byfuglien.

“Jordan Weal will not be in the lineup vs. Calgary due to an upper-body injury.” GM Ron Hextall said before the game.  “He is listed as day-to-day.”

Byfuglien was not penalized on the play and will not have any disciplinary action taken against him. According to a league source, “It was determined that Byfuglien used his shoulder to lead with the hit. Due to the size difference, the elbow looks like the point of contact, but we have deemed it was not”.

You be the judge. Weal hopefully missed today’s game as a precautionary and not for a potential long term injury.

Radko Gudas

Radko Gudas had to sit out today’s game due to implications from his potential suspension. According to league rules and the CBA, “Per 18.4 (b)(i) in CBA: The Player, if subject to suspension, may not play in an NHL game pending the telephonic or in-person hearing and the League’s determination.”

Due to Gudas having a hearing set for Sunday, he was unable for today’s game. Mark Alt stepped into Gudas’s vacated defense spot alongside Sanheim.

However, the length of Gudas’s suspension could be long. Normally, whenever a player is offered an in-person hearing, the player is normally getting more than a 5 game suspension. Here is the incident in question…

https://twitter.com/BarstoolJordie/status/931335192651927552

Gudas looks to be in some real trouble. But, all bad things come with something good. This might open up a spot for Sam Morin to get his chance with the big club.

 

Result : 5 – 4 OTL vs Flames

Record : 8 – 8 – 4

Next Game : Tuesday 11/21 Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia PA

 

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports