Giroux returns to Philadelphia; Sens defeat Flyers, 4-1

Claude Giroux had a fruitful return to the Wells Fargo Center, sharing three assists as the Ottawa Senators cashed in on their opportunities against the Philadelphia Flyers, 4-1.

Kevin Hayes scored the lone goal for the Flyers. He cleaned the crease after Travis Konecny drove to the net with tenacity. Before the end of the period, Thomas Chabot was wide open as he entered the offensive zone, shooting after the defense crashed around Brady Tkachuk. Giroux would nab the secondary assist on the play. It was the only even-strength goal from the Senators.

Philadelphia couldn’t get much of anything going on in their powerplay. Additionally, they committed awful penalties. Nicolas Deslauriers received a penalty for interference, turning into the first of two goals by Alex DeBrincat. Then, Scott Laughton hacked at Austin Watson, hand-delivering another DeBrincat powerplay goal.

“You can’t win in the NHL if you’re going to play against two opponents. That’s the opponent, themselves, and us. We did so many good things, but then we self-implode with the penalties. Just unnecessary penalties; can’t do it.”
John Tortorella; 11/12/2022

Giroux tallied two more assists on the powerplay. In two games this season against the Flyers, he has four points (1G, 3A.)

Tim Stutzle added the empty-net goal. He tangled with Rasmus Ristolainen, and the puck carried across the goal line when both skaters wiped out. Tomorrow, Philadelphia completes their back-to-back with a 1pm faceoff.

Special Teams (-)

Tortorella did state that he took positives away from today’s loss. The self-implosion caused by penalties doesn’t define how the Flyers performed during even-strength hockey.

Lukas Sedlak, Noah Cates, and Zack MacEwen continue to bring the energy. They’re noticeable on the forecheck. Philadelphia, for the most part, played well with the puck. Unfortunately, the momentum stopped and started too often due to the penalties.

Ottawa features a dangerous powerplay unit. Four powerplay skaters (Giroux, Tkachuk, Stutzle, and DeBrincat) had a multi-point game. The Flyers had as many opportunities on the powerplay, converting none of their chances for a 0/3 effort.

Growing Pains

Owen Tippett seemed to be the focal point of the powerplay for Philadelphia, aiming to get his powerful shot in prime shooting areas. He took his poor performance against the Columbus Blue Jackets in stride, looking a lot better tonight despite the conversion rate.

“After last game, I said to you guys I’m my biggest critic, and I know the mistakes I made; that I can’t make them again. I knew I had to be better today. I thought I held onto pucks better and made smarter decisions.”
Owen Tippett; 11/12/2022

On the powerplay, he generated one shot. During even-strength hockey, he had three shots on goal, a blocked shot, and two hits. There was tenacity from the Flyers, a silver lining from this loss.

Philadelphia possessed the puck often enough, outshooting the opposition while playing their most physical game of the young season.

Another player who turned his body in was Wade Allison. He couldn’t catch a break, taking a stick to the face on a follow-through. Allison missed the remaining seven minutes of the first period before missing the rest of the game due to an injury in the second. Health is a constant battle for the Flyers skaters, particularly Allison. Speaking of him:

Wade Allison

Every play he made, down to his last, was productive for Philadelphia. He always finds a way to maximize the impression he makes on the ice within a short amount of time. Allison skated for a total of 7:12, leaving in the second period due to injury.

Before he left in the first period, taking a stick to the face on a follow-through, Allison blocked a shot, forced a takeaway, made three hits, and took two shots on goal. He returned at the start of the second period following his repairs. Allison didn’t miss a step, re-entering to a tune of four hits and another shot on goal. Before exiting, he hit Jacob Bernard-Docker. At the time, we were unsure of the injury, and Tortorella did not provide an update.

Wade Allison; PHIvsOTT; 11/12/2022 via Natural Stat Trick

There are two ongoing themes about Allison. He is absolutely electric on the ice, but his full-throttle style routinely gets him injured. Evident by his several minutes on the ice, Allison is a tone-setter on the ice. Kieffer Bellows could slot into the lineup in place of Allison tomorrow.