Chuck Fletcher gave a state of the Philadelphia Flyers address yesterday. That press conference didn’t come from a place of comfort. The franchise is in the middle of a six-game losing streak and missing five key players.
In the interim, the Flyers cannot afford more injuries while they attempt to claw back into the graces of the Metropolitan Division.
Tonight, they visit the New York Rangers. Kevin Hayes makes his return to help a failing offense. Could Philadelphia find the win column in Madison Square Garden? Here’s how it all unfolded:
First Period
At center ice, Kevin Hayes and Mika Zibanejad squared off on the opening draw. Hayes provided an early jolt of energy, bringing the heat to Igor Shesterkin.
Then, Morgan Frost served a minor penalty for high sticking. Usually, the Philadelphia Flyers are impressive on the penalty kill. This time, Jacob Trouba launched a slapshot from the blue line past Carter Hart. Alexis Lafreniere returned the puck quickly to Trouba, but Hart was out of position. The New York Rangers were 8-0-2 when scoring first.
As Hayes returns, Joel Farabee lost an edge, crashing into the boards with K’Andre Miller. Farabee went into the locker room. Then, Artemi Panarin made a beautiful pass to Dryden Hunt, stretching him just past Ivan Provorov. The Rangers led, 2-0.
Second Period
On the first offensive possession, the New York Rangers struck hot. Scott Laughton unsuccessfully cleared a puck in the direction of a breaking Travis Konecny. Kaapo Kakko fed Chris Kreider, who was crashing the crease. As he was falling, Kreider scored. The Rangers led, 3-0.
Dryden Hunt, who scored the second goal of the first period, received a game misconduct for charging Justin Braun into the boards. It was a dirty hit. I would expect a fine with Hunt’s name on it.
The Philadelphia Flyers had a five-minute powerplay from the major penalty. Something had to give, right? Nope. Same ol’ powerplay woes.
Braun continued to take punishment from New York in the second period. Ryan Reaves joined the hit parade against Braun.
Morgan Frost eventually put the Flyers on the scoreboard, hustling the puck past Igor Shesterkin with a poke check. Entering the final frame, the Rangers led Philadelphia, 3-1.
Third Period
At the beginning of the third period, Madison Square Garden sounded quiet. To be fair, the Philadelphia Flyers got under control in the second half of regulation, dating back to the first of the season for Morgan Frost.
Sean Couturier kept his hustle in the third period. It’s the longest scoring drought for Couturier with Alain Vigneault as the head coach. Ten games is a lifetime. Unfortunately, nothing bounced his way once more.
Barclay Goodrow took a puck to the helmet. He left the ice immediately, hustling back to the locker room. Keith Yandle tried to get a puck deep in the offensive zone, but it exploded the visor on Goodrow’s helmet instead.
In the final minute of regulation, Artemi Panarin scored the empty-net goal to push the final score to 4-1.
Up Next
Next, the Philadelphia Flyers host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, December 5th, 2021. The puck drops at 6pm.
Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire
