Game recap: Pens face Hart for the first time as Flyers fall short

Pens @ Flyers – February 11, 2019

The Flyers started off as the better team in the game. An early power play opportunity that lead to a short-handed chance against, but Hart made an incredible save with a man with a man alone in front of the net. Hart started off well, but what would ultimately fall short of his better performance.

Chances for the Flyers failed to make any impact early on and a lot of the team’s prime scoring chances were negated with poor puck to stick contact. Oskar Lindblom was stopped early on a 2 on 1 with Nolan Patrick, but didn’t get all of the puck and shot was saved. Then again moments later, Lindblom, again on a 2-1 with Sean Couturier and Lindblom is stopped at the side of the net not getting enough of the puck.

After a lot back and forth, Crosby takes finally took advantage of a Flyers mistake that left him alone at the side of the net. Hart never saw him and with a wide open net, Crosby made it 1-0 Penguins. With several prime scoring opportunities the Flyers failed to get any sustained pressure to score goal. They’d have to do a better job managing the puck in the second period.

Overall the Flyers had a very strong second period with 28 shots on net. They did a lot of the littles things right, but could not finish out their opportunities. The Penguins had no problem cashing in on their opportunity as Hart gave up one of his weaker goals of the season. Bjukstad slid a low shot underneath a sliding Carter Hart and the Penguins silenced the building with a 2-0 lead. However, the Flyers did not stop pushing and continued to press hard and a power play opportunity gave the Flyers an opportunity to cut into their deficit in half.

With 2 seconds remaining on the Flyers power play, Nolan Patrick finally buried a in a rebound from a Travis Konecny shot. However, the joy was immediately silenced as the referee blew his whistle and as he lost sight of the puck after a failed glove save by Pens goalie, Matt Murray. At this point the Flyers frustration hit another level as they continued to get solid scoring opportunities, finishing with a franchise high 28 shots in the second period, but remained without a goal. They’d have to stay mentally focused to come back after such a frustrating period.

The third period was more of the same for the Flyers, they continued to carry the play and lead in shots, but the Penguins continued to frustrate them throughout majority of the third period by playing a simple game and keeping most shots from the perimeter. Another late goal by the penguins on a savable wrap around looked to be the nail in the coffin.

Flyers got a gift with a 5 minute major power play with 5 minutes left in the 3rd period down 3-0 The Flyers finally got a break. Evgeni Malkin received a 5 minute major and match penalty for his dangerous stick play. Just seconds into the power play Jake Voracek buries a goal right in front of the net. suddenly there was hope. However, not enough luck on this night as Matt Murray held up strong over the last 5 minutes and the Flyers fell short of a comeback.

A late empty net goal for the penguins put it away. The Flyers came to play and with 51 shots on net, they simply had a night where things did not go their way. It was not a loss that would make fans angry, but it would leave most disappointed at missing out on a division rival victory. The Flyers will have a chance for retribution against the Penguins on February 23rd in the Stadium Series Game. And you can bet, they’ll be ready to play.