Post Game Recap: Flyers secure hard-earned point with 2.6 left on the clock

Philadelphia enters today’s game coming off a 4-3 loss to the Devils Thursday. The Flyers have lost 3 straight and look to end that stretch against a struggling Senators team.

Ottawa enters today’s game coming off a 2-1 OT win over the Ducks Thursday. The Senators ended a 6-game losing streak with the win Thursday. They look to build off the win and put a poor month of January, 3-7-1, behind them.

Giroux – Couturier – Konecny

Voracek – Patrick – Simmonds

Weal – Laughton – Raffl

Leier – Filppula – Lehtera

Provorov – Gostisbehere

Hagg – MacDonald

Manning – Gudas

Starter – Lyon

Backup – Neuvirth

Scratches

22 – Weise

39 – Alt

1st Period Notes…

If recent Flyers games have told you anything, it is the Flyers start well and then struggle. Well, today was no different.

Just over two minutes into this one, the Flyers got tremendous pressure from the 4th line. During the pressure, the Flyers 4th line generated 2 shots, both scoring chances, in about a minute of offensive zone time. But, no goal.

Then, we had a scrum. Just before the four minute mark, Ottawa was getting a bench penalty for too-many men on the ice. However, Senators Alex Burrows, was being Alex Burrows and got into a roughing match with Wayne Simmonds. Both off for roughing. But, Flyers to the power-play.

On the power-play, the Flyers did not generate any dangerous scoring chances. Had only 1 shot on goal and Ottawa killed it off easily.

Just two minutes later, the Flyers would go right back to the power-play. This time Senators Ryan Dzingel hooked a Flyers going for the puck in the corner. However, this power-play was worse than the 1st one and Ottawa killed it off with more ease. They were rewarded with a chance right out of the box. However, Provorov make a great stick check to stop the opportunity.

Ivan Provorov easily catches Ryan Dzingel and negates the rush. pic.twitter.com/9fKMxtK6wl

— Sons of Penn (@SonsofPenn) February 3, 2018

But, Ottawa would capitalize soon thereafter. After a close call at the line, Senators Matt Duchene skated around Flyers Scott Laughton and roofed it over Alex Lyon. 1-0 Senators. However, the Senators would make it 2-0 very quickly.

Just 39 seconds later, Derick Brassard would not be denied and put home the puck on a net mouth scramble. 2-0 Senators.

It wouldn’t get any better for the Flyers. Just 21 seconds after the goal, Ottawa would go to their 1st power-play of the game. The Flyers killed it off with ease. However, as the penalty expired, Filppula was whistled for a lazy high-sticking penalty. Ottawa to their 2nd power-play.

Ottawa had their chances. But, the Flyers 29th ranked penalty kill, thats not good, stood tall and killed it off.

The period ended smoothly after the penalty expired. 2-0 Senators after 1st.

Scoring

9:07 Senators Matt Duchene Assists Colin White & Mike Hoffman

8:28 Senators Derick Brassard Assists Ryan Dzingel & Cody Ceci

Penalties

16:06 Flyers Wayne Simmonds 2 mins Roughing

16:06 Senators Mark Borowiecki 2 mins Roughing

Senators Too-Many Men (Served by Ryan Dzingel) 2 mins

12:02 Senators Ryan Dzingel 2 mins Hooking

8:07 Flyers Brandon Manning 2 mins Tripping

5:47 Flyers Valtteri Filppula 2 mins High-Sticking

Shots

Flyers – 8

Senators – 10

2nd Period Notes…

The Flyers came out roaring. The period starts out with the Flyers 1st line generating a great scoring chance. Konecny fed Giroux in-front for a point-blank opportunity. Anderson made a big save.

However, the Flyers would score shortly thereafter. Just before the four minute mark, Sean Couturier put home his 27th on the season. Man was this a weird sequence. Senators lead 2-1.

Gudas with the set up, Couturier scores! pic.twitter.com/NiY97S4kWB

— Flyers Nation (@FlyersNation) February 3, 2018

After the goal, the game really opened up. Their was a stretch of about 8 minutes with no whistles. Both teams had great scoring chances. However, neither team could put one home.

But, the Senators would after the long stretch. After Giroux fall at the blue-line, the Senators broke out on a 2v1. Ryan Dzingel would find Chris Didomenico at the back post for the wide open goal. 3-1 Senators.

The Flyers would get a power-play near the end of the period. However, the 28th ranked Senators penalty kill, again not good, killed off the penalty again.

Then, with just 2.9 seconds left on the clock, the Flyers got lucky. The play was originally called onside, resulting in a Senators goal. However, Dave Hakstol challenged the play for offsides and won. Game still 3-1.

Period ends. 3-1 Senators after 2nd.

Scoring

16:07 Flyers Sean Couturier Assists Radko Gudas & Travis Konecny

6:58 Senators Chris Didomenico Assists Ryan Dzingel

Penalties

2:29 Senators Colin White 2 mins Hooking

Shots (Total)

Flyers – 12 (20)

Senators – 13 (23)

3rd Period Notes…

To start the 3rd period, the Flyers made a goalie change. Michal Neuvirth replaced Alex Lyon.

The Flyers were roaring to start the period. They outshot the Senators 7-0 over the first 5 minutes of the period. None better than Giroux’s chance that hit the post and somehow stayed out behind Craig Anderson.

This was just the start of to the Flyers domination of the 3rd period.

The Flyers pressure continued and resulted in a goal. Claude Giroux tipped home a Brandon Manning shot from the point for the goal. 3-2 Senators with 5:45 left.

But, they wouldn’t stop there. With the goalie pulled, and 2.6 left on the clock, Nolan Patrick fired home a rebound to tie the game.