Well Flyers fans, the winning streak has come to an end. The good thing though is that the point streak is still alive as the Flyers managed to earn a point in the loss. That just means it’s time to start a new one right? Here are my 3 Observations from the Flyers 3-2 SO Loss to the LA Kings.
Goaltender Duel:
It was a battle between the two net minders last night. Jonathan Quick, who came into the game with a career record of 8-3-1 to go along with a 1.59 GAA against the Flyers, stopped 30 of 32 shots fired his way. One of his biggest saves came in the 1st period when Wayne Simmonds got a shot off in close, but he was able to get a piece of it while down on the ice. If Simmonds scored there, it could’ve been a huge momentum swing in favor of the Flyers. Who knows, maybe we’re talking about nine straight wins if Simmonds puts that puck into the back of the net.
Anthony Stolarz on the other hand, was just as good, if not better, for the Flyers stopping 37 of 39 shots fired his way. His best save came late in OT when he robbed Kings center, Adrian Kempe, of a goal by sliding across to make a diving save with 14 seconds remaining in overtime. Stolie, who now has stopped 75 of the last 77 shots fired his way in the past two games, is no doubt making a statement.
“Yeah of course after enduring Vancouver’s injury–it was a little scary, he gave us that one point today so kudos to him“, said Flyers RW Jake Voracek when talking about Stolie.
A Confident Bunch:
About a month ago, the chances of the Flyers tying a game up late in the game, let alone under 17 seconds remaining in the 3rd, were slim to none. Fast forward to the present and who knows what they can do? Last night, with the Flyers down 2-1 looking like they’d have their winning streak end in regulation, the Flyers made some magic happen. Shayne Gostisbehere, who had a game to forget, took a pass from Voracek before quickly dishing it off to Giroux, who eventually made a great cross ice pass to Voracek who eventually roofed it into the back of the net to tie the game. Say what you want, but this team is playing with a ton of confidence. They played sloppy throughout the whole game yet still found a way to get a point.
“Like I said, we battled hard. We didn’t play our best game. Stolie gave us the best chance to win. Like I said, we battled. It was a tough game. We need to be better”, said Flyers Center Sean Couturier when talking about battling back and getting the game tying goal.
Kings 4th Line Does Damage:
The Kings best line early on… was their 4th Line. The Flyers just didn’t seem to have an answer for them. They created a few quality scoring chances and actually capitalized on one early, when Austin Wagner wristed one pass Anthony Stolarz off a beautiful feed from Kyle Clifford to put the Kings up 1-0 a little over eight minutes into the 1st. Wagner, who was arguably one of the Kings most effective players in the 1st, also had a chance to make 2-0 a few minutes later, but he fumbled the puck on his way in. Later in the period, Kyle Clifford got behind the Flyers defense and rang a shot off the post. They were a big part of the Kings success last night.
“Yeah, I had a pretty good warmup today. I was feeling good today, I went out there and played my game and just did my thing. Cliff played great, I thought our line did pretty good and everyone else followed through”, said Kings forward Austin Wagner when talking about the energy he played with tonight and his line’s success.
Post Game Notes:
- Anthony Stolarz stopped 37 of 39 shots fired his way in the loss. He now has stopped 75 of the last 77 shots fired his way.
- Jonathan Quick stopped 30 of 32 shots fired his way improving his record vs the Flyers to 9-3-1, to go along with a 1.61 GAA and a .946 SV %.
- Sean Couturier extended his point streak to six games after tying the game at 1-1 in the 2nd Period (3G,3A,6P).
- Kings forward Austin Wagner finished the game with a goal, his fifth of the season, and finished with a team-high in shots (5).
- Radko Gudas led the Flyers in hits with seven. Scott Laughton had five.
- Ivan Provorov led the Flyers in both shots on goal (5) and TOI 28:02.
The Flyers are back in action tomorrow afternoon as they host the Anaheim Ducks. Puck Drop is at 1PM.
As Always, Lets Go Flyers!
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
