Five Flyers Observations : Another Slow Start, Same Result
The Philadelphia Flyers lost 4-1 to the Colorado Avalanche Monday night at the Wells Fargo Center. The speedy Avalanche were too much for the Flyers to handle.
Colorado jumped out to a 3-0 lead before the Flyers showed any fight back. The Flyers got one back before the Avalanche added an empty net goal.
Nolan Patrick scored the Flyers only goal. His second of the season and second in as many games since retuning from injury on Saturday.
Brian Elliott stopped 29 of the 32 shots he faced in the loss.
Here are 4 more observations from the Flyers 4-1 loss to the Avalanche…
Travis Sanheim
The lone bright spot for the Flyers tonight was Travis Sanheim. Sanheim, who battled through adversity last season, has been the Flyers best all-around defenseman this season.
Sanheim came on strong at the end of the season last year and had a strong playoffs. That play has carried into the season and it is showing with new found trust from his coach.
Travis Sanheim couldn’t even see a minute in the last 5 minutes of a game last season. However, this season, Coach Dave Hakstol has went to Sanheim time and time again.
Tonight, was no different. Sanheim was the reason for the only Flyers goal tonight. His shot was deflected by Nolan Patrick for the goal. But, he also showed a tremendous two-way game too.
Wherever the puck was, it seemed Sanheim was right there behind it. Sanheim is slowly but surely turning into the top 4 defenseman the Flyers hoped he would be.
Power-Play Struggling
After a stretch that saw the Flyers power-play go 4 for 11, the Flyers power-play has gone silent. Over their last 14 opportunities, the Flyers have only scored once.
Tonight, the Flyers went 0 for 3 against one of the leagues best penalty kill units. This should have been a great match-up with the Flyers supposedly strong power-play units.
However, it was a one-sided show in favor of the Avalanche. There is a reason the Avalanche have a top 3 penalty kill and it showed tonight.
The Flyers power-play needs work and a lot of it. But, it could be as simple as one switch. PUT NOLAN PATRICK BACK ON THE 1ST UNIT.
Penalty Kill Is A Joke
The Flyers penalty kill couldn’t have gotten any worse right? After coming in second to last a year ago, the Flyers penalty kill had plenty of room to improve. However, instead of improve. Somehow it has gotten work.
After killing 6-straight penalties to start the season, the Flyers have allowed 10 goals on their last 26 opportunities. A 62% kill rate. Including a stretch they are on now of 2 for last 5. YES, you are readying that correctly. A 40% kill rate.
This was the Flyers biggest need and fix for the offseason. But, somehow it has remained the same and gotten a little bit worse.
Coach Dave Hakstol said last season it wasn’t the structure, they were just getting unlucky. Well, no excuse this season Dave. Nothing unlucky about the dismal penalty kill this year.
Extra Pucks
At the start of the season, the Flyers goal crease was up in the air. Injuries to last years back-ups, Michal Neuvirth and Alex Lyon, during the preseason, led the Flyers to claim Calvin Pickard instead of going with Anthony Stolarz as their back-up.
However, with Alex Lyon healthy and Michal Neuvirth expected to return with the next week or two, the Flyers goal crease is more crowded than ever.
When Neuvirth returns, the Flyers will have 6 goalies on NHL contracts. Teams normally carry 2 goalies on their roster. Therefore, when you assume 2 with the Flyers and 2 with the Phantoms, the Flyers have 2 extra goalies in need of a spot.
It is unknown how the Flyers will handle this situation. However, GM Ron Hextall has left the door open on all possibilities. Hextall said he is open to a trade or carrying 3 goalies on the roster. In any case, the Flyers goalie situation is one to keep an eye on in the next couple of weeks.
Result : Flyers 1 – Avalanche 4, LOSS
Record : 4 – 5 – 0
Next Game : 10/25 Boston Bruins , Boston MA , NBCSports Philadelphia 7:00pm