The Philadelphia Flyers entered Thursday night’s game in Ottawa in desperate need of a win. In doing so, they played their best game of the season. But they ultimately fell short, losing 2-1 to the Senators. The loss kept the Flyers winless through their first five games of the season (0-3-2).
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Senators defenseman Carter Yakemchuk got the game winning goal with a power-play blast from former Flyer Claude Giroux and Shane Pinto at 13:01 of the third period. Winger Nick Cousins put the Senators in front early with his first goal of the season at 10:14 of the first period.
Philadelphia got their only goal of the game in the second period. Winger Matvei Michkov scored his second goal of the season on the power play. It was the Flyers’ first power-play goal of the season.
The Flyers started strong, but put themselves in harm’s way in the first period with four minor penalties. And it was newcomer Michael Bunting’s hooking call that set up Yakemchuk’s game-winner.
Goalie Joseph Woll had another good outing in net for the Flyers, as he made 28 saves on 29 shots. This was also the first time in five games that the Flyers outshot their opponents (29-28 overall).
Philadelphia also had a greater number of high danger chances 8-5, but were unable to cash in enough on them.
Flyers Pregame Notes
Prior to the game, recent signing Michael Bunting’s addition (and demotion of Alex Bump) spurred head coach Rick Tocchet to adjust his lineup again.
In addition, Tocchet opted to start Woll in goal for the third time in four games. With back-to-back games over the weekend and a three games in four days stretch coming, it wasn’t a complete surprise.
Flyers Game Summary
First Period
The Flyers came out with jump in the first period with their rejiggered units. They generated a 4-1 shot advantage in the opening four minutes, with Bunting leading the charge on his first couple of shifts. However, as the Flyers just finished killing off an early Senators power-play, Ottawa scored to get the early lead. Following an offensive face-off win, Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven sent a wrist shot from the point. Former Flyers forward Nick Cousins tipped it past Woll, while battling Cam York in front.
Unfortunately, Matvei Michkov would take an ill-advised tripping penalty on the ensuing draw. It would kick off a sequence of three consecutive penalties by the Flyers. It would put them on their heels for a good chunk of the period. Fortunately, Philadelphia’s penalty-killing units were able to kill them all off. Towards the end of the period, Sean Couturier got a shorthanded break-in on Linus Ulmark. Shortly after, Trevor Zegras and Porter Martone worked a threatening scoring chance.
The period ended with the Flyers having an 11-8 shot advantage. Considering they came into the game with a minus 82 shot differential, that counts as progress.
Second Period
Philadelphia built on their first period effort with their best 20 minutes of the young season.
Early in the period, the Flyers survived a dicey sequence started by former captain Claude Giroux. On it, Woll was knocked way out of the crease after an shot by Shane Pinto as he came through the crease. Ottawa somehow didn’t score, and from there, the Flyers started to generate chances.
First up, Tyson Foerster and Denver Barkey attacked the offensive zone after Michkov chipped the puck out of the Flyers’ end. Foerster rifled a shot off the post. But the big winger stayed with the play, got a second look, and drew a hooking penalty on Kleven.
On the ensuing power-play, Zegras decided to get aggressive. Instead of wheeling to the point, he ripped a shot that squeezed through Ullmark. Michkov found the puck and quickly tucked it home to tie the game at 1-1.
Philadelphia really began to put pressure on the Senators after Michkov’s goal and built a 21-11 overall shot advantage. While they didn’t score, they were constant on the forecheck, especially led by Couturier, who crashed the crease. For the most part, they out-chanced the Senators by a clear margin.
However, the Senators turned the play into the Flyers end and closed in on a few dangerous chances as the period closed out.
Third Period
Philadelphia struggled to maintain the same level of pressure that they did in the second period, until the final minutes of the game. Ottawa was able to build an 8-3 shot advantage early in the third to put the Flyers on their heels a bit. But a high-sticking penalty by Drake Batherson on Tyson Foerster gave the Flyers a power-play at 6:17. During the power-play, defenseman Jordan Spence got called for delay of game for clearing the puck over the glass. The infraction gave the Flyers a two-man advantage for 27 seconds. But they were unable to take advantage of it, and they gave up a short-handed break to Michael Amadio that Woll was forced to stop.
The Flyers did a good job of possessing the puck in the third period, something they hadn’t done much of so far this season. However, when Bunting was called for hooking defenseman Thomas Chabot on a hard forecheck, Ottawa made the Flyers pay for it.
Defenseman Carter Yakemchuk would fire a hard blast past Woll on a give-and-go with Claude Giroux to give the Senators a 2-1 lead at 13:01.
After that, the game got decidedly physical with some nasty hits. A hard cross-check at the net by Nick Seeler to Ridly Greig’s back saw no penalty called. A few minutes later, Dylan Cozens returned the favor with a big open-ice blast of Sean Couturier.
As the game crept under two minutes, the Flyers pulled Woll for an extra attacker. On a full-pressure sequence led by Konecny and Couturier, Michkov had a chance to tie the game at the right post. However, Cozens made the save of the game with a block. After that, the Flyers got four more chances on Ullmark, but were unable to beat him as the final horn sounded.
The Good
- The Flyers have 99 problems, but their goaltending ain’t one. Joseph Woll was excellent in net throughout this game. As the Flyers struggled to survive their first-period penalty parade, Woll stood tall in keeping his team in it. He also covered for their own power-play gaffes when he made a huge stop on Michael Amadio’s shorthanded break.
- Jamie Drysdale looked much better in this game, closer to the version we saw from last season. He had looked good offensively as well with three shots on goal.
- Despite taking the penalty that led to the Senators game-winning goal, Michael Bunting had a good first outing as a Flyer. He was active and abrasive in the offensive zone and got two shots on goal in his opening two shifts. While Tocchet limited him to just under 11 minutes of ice time, his early shifts seemed to bring his new teammates into the fight.
- While Matvei Michkov took a bad penalty to put the Flyers in a difficult spot in the first period, he was pretty solid the rest of the way. In addition to his power-play goal, he made two good defensive plays in the second period. He also started the transition that led to Tyson Foerster’s scoring chance. He also took face-offs on the power play and actually won his battles at the dot (4 for 7)
The Bad
- There are no moral victories. The Flyers really need a win. They didn’t get one on Thursday night. They had several opportunities to get in front of the Senators and chances to tie late in the game. While the game was something to build on, the results are what they are.
- The Bunting penalty in the third period was unfortunate, as it came on a late whistle. He actually had a prime scoring chance set up when the whistle came, ultimately turning the tide of the game.
- The power-play remains an issue. Specifically, their lack of finish at critical moments. It was good to see Zegras get aggressive and Michkov benefit from it. David Jiricek made a slick between-the-skates pass to Foerster for a one-timer. The looks are getting better, but they need to keep building on it in Boston.
The Ugly
- Cam York’s lack of tight coverage after an offensive zone draw led to the Senators opening goal. He allowed himself to get outmuscled for position by Cousins.
- One big reason the Flyers lost for the fifth straight time was their lack of discipline in the first period. Four penalties in one period is unacceptable, especially when they started off the game well. It just puts undue pressure on their defense and goaltending. Michkov’s penalty was especially unnecessary, coming right after Cousins’ goal.
- Face-off struggles for Christian Dvorak (three for 10) and Sean Couturier (five for 11) didn’t help the Flyers cause. Luckily, Noah Cates and Noel Acciari were very good.
- While they had their moments where they flashed, it was not a night to write home about for Denver Barkey and Porter Martone. Playing at center, Barkey was one for six on faceoffs, while Martone had two giveaways.
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