Flyers PK continues leak, Bruins win 4-1

Everyone knew this road trip would be tough for the Philadelphia Flyers.

John Tortorella stressed the importance of a strong start in the first period. Generally speaking, he is finding more positives to take away from recent performances, especially during even-strength scenarios. The Flyers and Boston Bruins were opposites before the puck dropped. One team trended upwards on a four-game winning streak where the other spun their wheels in the mud on a four-game losing streak.

Unfortunately for Philadelphia, the four-game losing streak turned into five. Despite a strong start through the opening period, and a close second, it all fell apart in the third.

Tomas Nosek began the scoring in the second period. In the third, Jake DeBrusk scored the first of two powerplay goals for the Bruins. Owen Tippett responded with one of his own, extending a new powerplay goal streak for the Flyers to two games. David Krejci put the game out of reach, scoring moments after Tippett and adding another powerplay goal to really drive the point home.

“[We] get a big goal on our powerplay. They come down the next shift [and] score; it changes the momentum of the game. From there [we] couldn’t find our footing again.”
Scott Laughton; 11/17/2022

Throughout the first two periods, Philadelphia held their own against the top team in the NHL. Opposing powerplays are 7/11 over the last four games. Otherwise, the losses against quality opponents are a lot closer when the Flyers play with discipline.

Starting Strong (+)

A point of emphasis from Tortorella, Philadelphia did flip the script in the first period.

Lately, the Flyers hadn’t had a strong start to their games. Including last night’s loss, they’re on the bottom-end of a 6:1 ratio in terms of goals allowed versus scored in the opening period.

Out of the last five games, last night was the only time Philadelphia held an opponent off the scoreboard through the first period. They weren’t giving up much of anything and matched the energy Boston had. For every scoring chance against Carter Hart, there was a response. Both goaltenders stood tall for their teams.

“We were patient. We didn’t give much in the first half [of] the game. Hartsy made some saves to get us going.”
Owen Tippett; 11/17/2022

Noah Cates had a breakaway chance in the first but Ullmark did his job. Additionally, Max Willman and Travis Konecny were very disruptive in the opening frame. Unfortunately, Konecny is the latest skater to make the Flyers’ injury report.

Travis Konecny (-)

Philadelphia welcomed Patrick Brown back to the lineup and lost Konecny in the same night. They cannot find balance in terms of health.

Entering last night, he was riding a seven-game point streak (3G, 7A) before his injury. In the third period, Tippett scored on the powerplay. Usually, Konecny would have his fingerprints on such a play. He is second on the team, trailing Kevin Hayes, who had the primary assist against the Bruins.

Tortorella did not provide an update on Konecny. He leads the team in scoring. The situation reflects 2021-2022, where key playmakers and scorers were out of the lineup, short-handing a skill deficient team as they travel to take on the elite.