Flyers fall to Panthers 4-2, Giroux mentions keeping the same compete level for Western Canada

Photo Credit: NHL.com

It was a tough loss last night for the Flyers, as they fell to 2-1-1 on the season and the opening homestand of the year. Florida is a very good team, they possess the puck well and the Flyers hung with them without having Defenseman Ryan Ellis for this one. A couple bounces went the Panthers way, lots of penalties were called and that definitely took the offensive flow out of the game. The Flyers PK went 6/7, it had a good night, but when you don’t have offensive players out there because of penalties, it’s tough to score.

The home-stand showed a lot of good things for the Flyers, they scored 18 goals in 4 games. The PP & PK have had some great moments, we saw a few good goals from the Top unit, a shorthanded goal by Cam Atkinson, and lots more. The last two games (BOS & FLA), I personally haven’t really liked the Flyers starts to those games. Even against Seattle it took a little to get into the game after Hart made a few big saves, then the Flyers settled down and put up 3 in the first. I think going into the road trip here you have to have good starts, maintain puck possession and cash in on early chances. Follow that up with discipline and better breakouts out of their zone, which has been an issue at times, but Hart has been there to back them up. One thing seems to be the Flyers bread and butter so far, is scoring on high quality chances when they get them. Keep doing that, It’s helping… a LOT.

Oh, and another thing… You don’t wanna take penalties against the Oilers on Wednesday (not just Edmonton, but you get my point), the Oilers have the #1 PP at 47.1%, and the Flyers are 4th at 36.4%. Which isn’t even that surprising given the talent the Oilers have, and same with the Flyers. The PP was clicked and both units have had some great moments so far. After the game, I asked Flyers Captain Claude Giroux on his thoughts on anything the Flyers want to carry over to this road trip. He mentioned if the Flyers keep that same intensity, compete level, and continue to play as a team, then good things will happen.

Rightfully so, Giroux was frustrated after the game. Had mentioned early that the homestand would have been great if they won that game, (3-0-1, 7 out of possible 8 points), but now it’s just an “Okay” homestand. Which is completely understandable, that game was 100% winnable for the Flyers and a few things went south on them. They’ll look to bounce back in Western Canada starting on Wednesday in Edmonton. 

Was a fun night in the Press Box!