In an earlier game than usual, the Philadelphia Flyers took on the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, at 2:00 pm. Winners in their last two of three games, the Flyers were looking for their first back-to-back win since November 8th but failed as they lost 4-3.
The Flyers controlled the pace in the first period but were outshot 11-3. Tony DeAngelo blasted a shot past Ilya Samsonov to give the Flyers a 1-0 lead on the powerplay. A Mitch Marner breakaway attempt was stopped by Carter Hart, which then caused momentum for DeAngelo’s fifth goal of the year.
When scoring first this season, the Flyers are 3-6-2, the worst record in the NHL.
In the second period, the Maple Leafs started to take control. Calle Jarnkrok broke the seal with 3:50 remaining. Jarnkrok deflected a point shot from Marner to beat Carter Hart. About three minutes later, Marner gave his club a 2-1 lead. The Flyers’ penalty kill unit was perfect until a Marner one-timer snuck past Hart. After forty minutes of play, the Flyers were outshot 26-7, their lowest shot total through two periods this season.
Michael Bunting made it 3-1 early on in the third period. A failed defensive play from the Flyers left Hart vulnerable, which gave Bunting an easy goal-scoring opportunity. William Nylander made it a 4-1 game after the Flyers failed to convert on an earlier five-on-three man advantage. Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee started a Flyers comeback, each scoring. Frost’s goal continues a three-game goal streak, and Farabee ended an 11-game goal-less drought.
The comeback wasn’t meant to be. Farabee took a penalty with :45 seconds remaining, ending a Flyers powerplay and a chance for a game-tying goal.
PK Steps Up
Going 3/4 on the day, the Flyers’ lowly penalty kill unit stepped up against a star-studded Maple Leafs powerplay. Being outshot 34-19 at the end of the day, the penalty kill unit stopped crucial chances against some of the NHL’s best goal scorers.
The Flyers had five powerplay chances but only capitalized on their first opportunity.
Frost Keeps Scoring
Frost was a player who needed to prove his worth this season. After scoring twice on opening night, he began a cold streak. Throughout the last six games, he’s turned it around by scoring eight points (4G, 3A). Frost looks more confident and comfortable on the ice and is being put in crucial game situations by John Tortorella.
Postgame, Tortorella thought Frost was “brutal” for most of the game, but the team needed offense.
“I thought he was brutal for most of the game. I was just trying to find some offense, I didn’t think we were developing enough offense. I don’t think his game was anywhere near it should be throughout most of the game. But towards the end, he gets involved in a few scoring chances and we get an opportunity to try to win, or at least tie.”
John Tortorella; 12/22/2022
Konecny: 300 NHL points
Assisting Frost’s goal, Travis Konecny scored his 300th career point. He then made it 301 as he assisted on Farabee’s tally. Konecny now has 30 points during 28 games played this year and seven points in his last seven games.
Up Next
The competition isn’t any easier tomorrow as the Flyers travel to Raleigh, North Carolina, to face the Hurricanes. The puck drops at 7pm.
(Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
