Five Flyers Observations : Out-Dueled By An Old Enemy

The Philadelphia Flyers dropped Saturdays game to the Vegas Golden Knights by a score of 1-0. After controlling most of the game, the Flyers Sean Couturier whiffed on a clearance, lost his man, and Vegas pounced to score the games only goal with 1:25 left.




Brian Elliott was stellar in a rebound performance from the Flyers Home Opener. Michael Raffl continues to be the Flyers number one penalty kill forward.

Scott Laughton left for a period of play after going into the end boards awkwardly and hard. But, he would return. Oskar Lindblom was clearly boarded by Vegas’s Brayden McNabb, to no call by the referee’s. Lindblom did not return and seems to be in the NHL’s concussion protocol.

Here are 4 more observations from the Flyers 1-0 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights…




Out-Dueled By An Old Enemy

Flyers fans know the name Marc-Andre Fleury oh too well. From his days in Pittsburgh, Fleury was a Flyer killer some nights. But, on other occasions, he hated playing against the Flyers.

In the season opener, Fleury hated playing against the Flyers. However, today, the Flyers got vintage Fleury and he was yet again a Flyers killer.

Stopping all 26 shots he faced, Fleury earned the shutout win for the Knights. But, some saves came harder than others today for Fleury. Including this 10-bell save on Giroux with under 30 seconds left in the game.

Fleury made one last incredible save on Giroux in the final minute. pic.twitter.com/KaMXiwcLmq

— Sons of Penn (@SonsofPenn) October 13, 2018

The Flyers got vintage Fleury instead of Fleury from opening night and were just unable to beat their former enemy now with the Vegas Golden Knights.




Special Teams Night & Day

Through 5 games this season, the Flyers special teams have been night and day. One minute they look real good. Another they look real bad.

Today, it was the penalty kill that looked real good and the power-play looked real bad. The Flyers penalty kill was a perfect 3 for 3 today. Including killing off a late Vegas power-play with under 4 minutes left in the game.

The Flyers penalty killer were more active and aggressive today. Getting into lanes and being more disruptive than the previous two games.

On the other side, the Flyers power-play went silent again. Only generating 2 shots on two power-plays, the Flyers never had a scoring chance on either power-play. Once a dominant force in the NHL, the Flyers power-play is now average at best.




Robert Hagg

Flyers defensemen, Robert Hagg, has been one of the Flyers best all-around players this season. Hagg, who is known for his hitting hard-nosed defensive style game, has added an offensive touch to his game this season.

Hagg scored 3 goals and added 6 assists last season in 70 games. Through 5 games this year, Hagg already has 2 goals and added 1 assist.

Today, Hagg almost had goal number 3 on the season multiple times. Offense was never something attached to Hagg’s skill set. But, if he can continue with his offense, along with his already stellar hard nosed defensive game, the Flyers have a solid top 4 defensemen on their hands.




Injury Bug Hitting The Flyers Hard

After losing James van Riemsdyk in game 2 to a 5-6 week lower-body injury, the Flyers cant stay healthy. The Flyers then lost star young center Nolan Patrick for 7-10 days to an upper-body injury.

Today, the Flyers possibly avoided two more injuries.

Scott Laughton went in on a semi-break-away on Fleury. Fleury made the save. But, Laughton got his feet tangled up. Fell on his back and went hard and awkwardly into the end boards. Laughton would miss a period, but would return.

Oskar Lindblom may not have faired so well. After being boarded by Vegas’s Brayden McNabb, NO CALL BY THE REFEREES, Lindblom would stay down and looked groggy when being helped to the bench. Lindblom is believed to be in the leagues concussion protocol.

If Lindblom misses time, he will be the 3rd Flyer this season already to miss a game to injury. It is game 5. Too many injuries for the Flyers to start the season. Testing their new found depth.




Result : Flyers 0 – Vegas 1, LOSS

Record : 2 – 3 – 0

Next Game : 10/16 Florida Panthers, Philadelphia PA, NBCSports Philadelphia 7:00pm