The Philadelphia Flyers need a pick me up. They’re on a two-game skid, hoping to turn their fortunes around against a team they haven’t defeated since December 29th, 2017.
Last week, the Flyers played the Tampa Bay Lightning closely. Claude Giroux scored a game-tying goal with eight seconds remaining in regulation. Ultimately, the Lightning won in a shootout when Brayden Point confirmed the victory, scoring in the second round on Carter Hart.
Would lightning strike twice?
First Period
Zach Bogosian jump-started the Tampa Bay Lightning from the blue line. Three minutes hadn’t yet passed.
Scott Hartnell challenged the Philadelphia Flyers to play hard to the puck. Unfortunately, his former team continues to try to play an easy game. Hartnell was right; the Lightning took it to the Flyers in the second meeting of the season.
After going down by a goal, Philadelphia began to chase Tampa Bay’s pace.
Before the end of the period, Mikhail Sergachev served a delay of game penalty. Down by one, the Flyers went on the powerplay. They entered the second period down by a goal but in a position to battle back.
Second Period
Admittedly, the Flyers began the second period better than the first. They kept up with the Lightning a few minutes after their powerplay expired. The Flyers were 0/1 on the powerplay tonight.
Eventually, Steven Stamkos made his mark. Joel Farabee turned the puck over before the Lightning skated circles around Nick Seeler and Keith Yandle, finishing as Carter Hart was out of position.
Everything began to unravel in the second period for Philadelphia. Farabee first served a minor penalty for interference, followed by Sean Couturier for high sticking. The Flyers finished 2/2 on the penalty kill. Another night where the powerplay couldn’t convert, but the penalty kill held their end of the bargain.
More undisciplined hockey followed, and Philadelphia paid for it.
Corey Perry snuck in close on a delayed penalty. Andrei Vasilevskiy left the ice to make a six-on-five scenario. Hart saved a breakaway shot by Pat Maroon on the offensive zone entry, but Perry would push the lead to three goals. Tampa Bay dominated the period where Zack MacEwen was the best forward for the Flyers. Philadelphia played poor hockey, and the 0-3 score accurately represents their performance.
Third Period
More of the same continued in the third period. The Tampa Bay Lightning continued to possess the puck. They threatened in the offensive zone throughout every period. The Philadelphia Flyers cannot rely on short bursts from their forwards.
In the defensive zone, the Flyers hoped to reverse position on the ice. Alex Barre-Boulet scored immediately off the faceoff with a wrist shot. Barre-Boulet iced the game for the Lightning, now up by four goals.
Ondrej Palat collided with Carter Hart, but both players were okay. Derick Brassard did not return.
Philadelphia is on a three-game losing streak and was shut out for the third time this season.
Up Next
Next up, the Philadelphia Flyers visit the Florida Panthers tonight. The puck drops at 7pm.
Photo Credit: Alex McIntyre
