So, How About That Stadium Series Game?

The Philadelphia Flyers vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Over the last few years since ruining the opening of the Consol Energy Center back in 2011, the Flyers have gone into Pittsburgh and won a majority of the games played between the teams.

This game in the Steel City was different.

The Flyers, who are fighting for their playoff lives, played the Penguins at Heinz Field for the first outdoor meeting between the two clubs.

It did not go well for the Flyers.

The defending Stanley Cup-champion Penguins have been on a tear changing coaches midway through last season and have won five of the last six meetings against the Flyers over the last two seasons.

The Flyers were able to come out on fire and play to their full potential in front of the 60,000 people at Heinz Field. Unfortunately, the Penguins were able to score on their first shot of the game, which deflated the Flyers moving forward.

The Flyers were able to pot two goals in the game, one off a phenomenal move by Jakub Voracek and one power-play goal by Shayne Gostisbehere, his first in over 30 games.

It’s a power move from @jachobe to get the @NHLFlyers on the board. #StadiumSeries pic.twitter.com/nCHU1AQOjb

— NHL (@NHL) February 26, 2017

Despite these two goals Michal Neuvirth let in two soft ones that kept the Flyers out of the game.

Matt Cullen picked up an easy goal when Neuvirth lost sight of the puck and was able to jam it past him and Chad Ruhwedel was able to put the game away with the fourth goal of the night right through Neuvirth legs.

Forty years old. First outdoor game. Tenth goal of the season for Matt Cullen. #StadiumSeries pic.twitter.com/ndNKLpxVID

— NHL (@NHL) February 26, 2017

Neuvirth has started six games in a row and perhaps Ron Hextall and Dave Hakstol are looking to show him off to potential buyers. After the way he performed on a big stage Saturday night, I would be surprised if there were any takers.

It would be wrong to mention the game that Penguins goaltender Matt Murray played. He only allowed two goals on 38 shots and won his 23rd game of the year, improving to 23-7-3 on the year. He was able to stop the early onslaught from the Flyers and give his team a chance to win the game, and they did.

The Flyers are a team lacking confidence and this is about more than just the Stadium Series loss, but the whole season the Flyers haven’t been able to pick themselves up after their 10-game winning streak.

Currently at 63 points, if the Flyers had lost three games during that 10-game stretch, they’d be tied for last in the Eastern Conference.

This Flyers team is not one that can contend for a playoff spot let alone a Stanley Cup right now. Hextall has already said that the Flyers will not be buyers at this year’s deadline, but he did not say anything about selling.

I think we’re going to see some new faces on the team following Wednesday’s trade deadline.

You can follow Caleb Weiler on Twitter (@TheBitter_Caleb) and e-mail him at [email protected]. Follow Philly Influencer on Twitter (@PHL_Influencer), Facebook and Instagram.