Flyers fall to Flames, extend losing skid to seven games originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
You know what they say, “When it rains, it pours.”
And that certainly feels like the case for the Flyers in a multitude of ways.
In addition to the injury bug running rampant, the Flyers (7-8-4) have now lost their seventh consecutive game — their most recent being Monday night in a 5-2 loss to the Calgary Flames.
During this stretch, they’ve been outscored a whopping 33-15, allowing at least four goals in each contest. Their last win dates back to Nov. 8, when they beat the Blues 5-1.
Flames strike first
It didn’t even take five minutes of play for the Flyers to trail in this one. A turnover, turned quick 2-on-1, led to Jonathan Huberdeau scoring his fifth goal of the season. This now marks the 14th game this season where the Flyers have given up the first goal.
Both the penalty kill and power play were on display early in this one. Justin Braun was called for tripping and we were able to see a penalty kill that looked much more put together than it has in recent games. It’s not much, but worth a small victory when the Flyers have gone from the fourth-strongest in the league, down to bottom six in such a short amount of time.
The power play, on the other hand, still looks completely out of sorts. While you can’t fully place the blame on injury — nearly having your entire top unit out due to it, at least plays a factor.
Nothing beats that first-goal feeling
After getting called up to the big club Monday morning, Tanner Laczynski responded by scoring his first-career NHL goal.
Following his performance Saturday with the Phantoms, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. He tallied a goal, an assist and the shootout winner.
With an assist on this goal, Kevin Hayes also extended his point streak to six games. It’s a small bit of consistency, but without it, who knows how lost this team would look.
Looking for energy
Lackluster or lifeless. Both seem to be solid ways to explain the second.
Though both teams seemed to lack energy throughout the majority of the evening, the Flyers were still outskated by the Flames and never found a time to settle themselves for any real chances. In addition, any momentum that might have been building was completely cut off when Rasmus Andersson added to the Flames’ lead, to make it 3-1.
Not even their second man-advantage of the night could give them any kind of boost.
Top line struggles
The Owen Tippett-Morgan Frost-Joel Farabee line has easily been one of the most structurally sound elements to the current look of this team. It may honestly boil down to these three simply having the ability to play together every night without any major injuries stopping them.
Tippett has recently become a hot topic of conversation. He’s added an energy to the roster that has been sorely lacking, but like most, he was rather quiet against the Flames.
Farabee did slice one right down the middle nearing the midway point of the third period, but the Flyers weren’t able to find a rally in them.
Two empty net goals from Calgary (Blake Coleman and Trevor Lewis) put this one away.
Injury bug running rampant
For what feels like the first time in a long time, the Flyers seemed to avoid the injury bug tonight. There was a minor scare in the opening moments of the game with Rasmus Ristolainen, but after taking a moment on the bench, he seemed to be okay.
Hopefully we’ll hear some good news on the injury front as early as Tuesday. Scott Laughton, James van Riemsdyk, Travis Konecny, Wade Allison, Cam Atkinson and Sean Couturier will be evaluated tonight, per Chuck Fletcher.
Hockey Fights Cancer
It was Hockey Fights Cancer night at the Wells Fargo Center. Regardless of the outcome of the game, it is always a special evening among the teams and fans. The Flyers hosted AJ Grande’s parents and brother, where they were able to watch warmups from the bench. Travis Sanheim sported a custom “Grande” jersey, with his no. 11. AJ was a recipient of the Flyers 2022 Michael’s Way Scholarship. He passed away in October.
Up next
The Flyers travel to Washington for the first time this season to face the Capitals on Wednesday, Nov. 23.The Capitals are in the midst of a losing streak of their own, falling short the past four games. Both teams look to right the ship in this division showdown.
