“It was a very bad game altogether,” coach Alain Vigneault said. “I’ve got nothing positive really to say about one player tonight. That hasn’t happened to me very often this year.”
That about sums up last night’s horrific 6-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks. But, now onto the next.
In an attempt to bounce back after the loss last night, the Flyers (21-12-5) have a less than an hour ride south to Anaheim to take on the Ducks (16-18-4).
Coverage begins at 8 PM with puck drop scheduled for 8:30 PM EST on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Philadelphia is -115 Moneyline favorites with the over/under set at 5.5 goals.
Bring. The. Intensity.
The biggest key to this game will be to bring the effort and energy into Anaheim tonight. Last night, it looked like the Flyers ate one too many cookies over break, and looked awful from top to bottom. Philadelphia will need to lace up the skates and realize these rebuilding-style teams are the games where points are needed in the competitive Metropolitan division.
Philadelphia has had seven other back to backs so far this season, and have faced opponents in all seven of those games who are coming off rest. That trend will continue tonight against the Ducks.
So far this season, the Flyers are 2-3-2 in the second end of a back-to-back. The orange and black must make this record even if they want any chance at salvaging this already dreadful-looking road trip.
Know Your Enemy:
Anaheim Ducks
This is the second of two games the Flyers and Ducks will square off. About two weeks ago, the Flyers rattled off a 4-1 win when the two teams met at the Wells Fargo Center.
Despite knocking off the division-leading Golden Knights a couple of nights ago, the Ducks have a 4-6 record in their last ten.
Anaheim’s leading goal scorer, Jakob Silfverberg, is the player to watch for the Ducks. His 13 goals and 26 points come as a bit of a shock, but his success on their third line is something the Flyers need to be aware of.
John Gibson is expected to get the nod in goal for Anaheim. On the season, Gibson is 12-14- 2 with a .907 save percentage. Since losing to the Flyers 12 days ago, Gibson has two wins in his last two starts but allowed eight goals. Philadelphia needs to light the lamp early to win this game.
Prediction:
This game serves as much of a must-win that any NHL team will face in December. Philadelphia must find a way to win this game against a far inferior team with much tougher matchups slated for the next four games.
Coach AV definitely beat this into their heads over the past 22 hours and expect the Flyers to come full throttle in this game.
Flyers win in dramatic fashion, 3-2 in overtime.
Mandatory Credit – © Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
