Fourteen shots on goal through 40 minutes. A total of twenty-two shot attempts that missed the net, and another 21 shots blocked in the game.
Tuesday night’s 2-1 loss to the Florida Panthers was not the worst game the Flyers played all year, but they just weren’t able to get enough going offensively, failing to crack the Cats’ neutral zone with any consistency, and the result was a game with far too few dangerous chances against Roberto Luongo, who looked more like the Vezina contender of the previous decade than a 39-year-old collecting a pension check in the Sunshine State.
There were a few positives, including the Flyers own defensive effort, plus the solid play of Brian Elliott. The second line looked especially dangerous as the Flyers made their third period push, with Jakub Voracek scoring the lone goal on a beautiful cross-ice feed from Oskar Lindblom. Along with Nolan Patrick, that trio racked up chance after chance but were only able to deposit the one, and no other line was able to even claim that much.
Of course, the Flyers penalty kill unit was not able to extend its goalless streak to two games, and surrendered a second period tally to Aaron Ekblad for the game’s first goal. The power play only had one opportunity, but didn’t look especially inspiring, either. So special teams continue to be a problem. Shocker, I know.
Listen to the Facebook Live postgame reaction for analysis from this game, and speculation about James van Riemsdyk’s return.
