Anthony Mazziotti
The Flyers got the NHL equivalent of a participation trophy after blowing a 4-3 lead late in Tuesday night’s game against the New Jersey Devils. Sure they got a point out of it but this should have been a four-point swing in the Flyers favor. Instead the Flyers now sit at 66 points while the Devils climb to 64. It could should have been 67-62 in favor of the Orange and Black.
The Flyers got off to an early start, scoring 1:54 into the game on a pretty feed from Claude Giroux to Travis Konecny after they were pinned in their zone. Check out the goal below:
You know when @28CGiroux and Travis Konecny are together, it’s always a good time for the @NHLFlyers. #NJDvsPHI pic.twitter.com/B5qMvv8GPi
— NHL (@NHL) February 14, 2018
The first period ended without any other scoring.
The Devils started the second period hot, they generated some pressure early and Taylor Hall got the Devils on the board about four minutes into the period. Scott Laughton put the Flyers back on top 45 seconds later. Check out the goal below:
Laughton goes in front of the net and gives the flyers a 2-1 lead! pic.twitter.com/oYAI9jo62W
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) February 14, 2018
Radko Gudas kept the momentum for the Orange and Black. Check out his second goal in as many games:
What. A. Shot.
3-1 Flyers. pic.twitter.com/tL1rV4uiIv
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) February 14, 2018
John Moore potted one for the Devils around the 13 minute mark to make it 3-2 in favor of the home team. Claude Giroux made it a two goal lead on the next power play off a beautiful feed. The two goal lead didn’t last long as Nico Hischier scored for the Devils with about four minutes left in the period.
Very little happened in the third period. The Devils were pressing, trying to score, but got called for a penalty with about four minutes left in regulation. Instead of trying to regain a two-goal lead the Flyers sat on the puck and tried to hold on to the lead. That eventually failed as Taylor Hall scored (again) with a minute and change left in the third.
The Flyers generated a lot of chances in overtime but couldn’t beat Keith Kinkaid. In the shootout Jordan Weal, Travis Konecny, and Jake Voracek couldn’t score. Drew Stafford got the game winner for the Devils. Final score was 5-4 in favor of the Devils.
In lieu of takeaways for goals, I’m gonna do a good-bad-ugly. It’s more fitting for this game.
Good:
Claude Giroux had another two-point performance. He said he needs to score more and he’s keeping his word.
Travis Konecny is also playing really good hockey. He’s feisty and is really coming into his own. I can’t praise him enough.
Shayne Gostisbehere had two assists in the game and Jake Voracek had one too. It’s good to see these two consistently hitting the stat sheet.
Finally, it was good seeing the Flyers get scoring from outside the top line. Scott Laughton and Radko Gudas both notched goals. That is Laughton’s ninth of the season too. He’s looking good on that third line.
Bad:
When the Flyers were on the power play with 4 minutes left in the game I was left scratching my head why they were sitting on the puck and playing not to lose. I don’t think it can be stressed enough that playing not to lose will almost definitely guarantee you a loss. It caught up to them tonight.
The other bad thing was Hakstol’s shootout choices. I don’t understand why he would shoot Jordan Weal first and not shoot Giroux. From what I understood, Hak likes shooting G fourth. This is a good strategy assuming the Flyers make it to the fourth shooter. Your best shoot out option does you no good on the bench. I agree with going TK second, I think Nolan Patrick should have been given a chance considering he got the game winner in Arizona.
Ugly:
This might be a cop out, but Brian Elliott’s injury is looking really bad right now. Neuvy looked human as ever out there, having him as a work horse for the next 5-6 weeks is less than ideal. I hope he can find a way to get on a hot streak. I’ll make sure to say my prayer to the hockey gods.
The other ugly thing was blowing two separate two-goal leads. The Flyers need to keep momentum when they have leads like that. The Taylor Hall goal late in the game really deflated the building. It shouldn’t have even come to that.
The Flyers return to action on Friday in Columbus against the Blue Jackets at 7:00.
You can follow Anthony Mazziotti on Twitter (@AntMazziotti) and e-mail him at [email protected].
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