Reese’s Remarks: Flyers blanked by Boston

To start the 2022-2023 NHL Preseason, the Philadelphia Flyers hosted the Boston Bruins at the Wells Fargo Center, winning 2-1. Today, the Flyers (1-3-0) visited the Bruins (2-1-0) at the TD Garden Arena and were shut out 4-0.

Philadelphia started well. After the first period, they led the shot totals and kept pace with Boston. Everything unraveled, and the second-period slide ran its course. Rasmus Ristolainen committed a holding penalty, which Marc McLaughlin answered with a powerplay goal, his first of two scores. Since the second period, the Flyers remained outworked, outshot, and on the losing end of their worst performance of the preseason.

Adding to the two goals scored by McLaughlin was John Beecher, securing a couple himself. Troy Grosenick allowed three goals, filling in for Felix Sandstrom after he left after the first period with a lower-body injury. Both teams had a brace, including Fabian Lysell after a body check from Ristolainen.

Let’s unravel this loss in Reese’s Remarks:

Felix Sandstrom (-)

He didn’t receive a ton of work in the first period. The Bruins accumulated two shots on goal. Sandstrom was replaced in the second period, earlier than scheduled. Troy Grosenick was going to split the game with Sandstrom.

Grosenick took over at the beginning of the second period, forecasting worry. Sandstrom wouldn’t return to the game due to a lower-body injury.

Sandstrom and Grosenick are in between a highly contested position battle for the 2G role. To this point, Sandstrom had himself a stronger camp. His health could put him out of the question to make the opening night roster in Philadelphia.

Kevin Hayes

In the opening period, Hayes was the best player on the ice. He created two high-percentage scoring chances against Linus Ullmark. First, it was Olle Lycksell on a deflection, ultimately saved by Ullmark. Then, Hayes set up Morgan Frost on the powerplay, but he missed the net.

As a whole, the Flyers began to chase the pace of the game. Hayes looked like a better player compared to last season when he was injured.

Olle Lycksell

Lycksell was disruptive in the neutral zone during the first period, in addition to the scoring opportunity set up by Hayes. He kept busy in all three zones of play.

Chuck Fletcher, addressing the media at the beginning of training camp, cited Lycksell as someone favorable to make the NHL roster. He picked up steam during the 2022 Flyers Rookie Camp. His placement on the top line with Hayes popped in the first period suggests Tortorella wanted a closer look in the second half of the preseason. Later in the third, he made an incredible block on Jake DeBrusk with his stick, batting down a puck marked for the back of the net. His work on the penalty kill made the right impression.

Unfortunately, his effort on the second goal scored by McLaughlin put a damper on his evening. Grosenick couldn’t locate the puck, and Lycksell was on the crease, not pushing any Bruins away from his goaltender. Eventually, the second effort overpowered Grosenick to put Philadelphia down by two.

Troy Grosenick (-)

The current backup goaltender to Carter Hart did not have a solid outing. He allowed three goals in two periods of action. An injury to Sandstrom might secure his role as the 2G.

Grosenick didn’t have much help to save the three goals against him. McLaughlin scored on a deflection, then later, he pummeled the puck past Grosenick. Finally, Derek Forbort shot from the blue line, and the puck deflected off Beecher. The defense ahead of him reflected the pucks that squeezed by.

Second Period (-)

The second-period slide happened. John Tortorella was adamant the play in the second period did not reflect the team. He noted a “tired camp” and player fatigue playing a factor. In response, he called for a day off following the loss to the Washington Capitals.

Again, the Flyers crumbled. With momentum in hand, the powerplay goal by McLaughlin on a Ristolainen penalty was the dagger. Everything spiraled in the second period; it was remarkable the lead was 1-0 heading into the final frame.