Well, reality has set in that the Flyers can overlook no team, after losing 5-0 to the Montreal Canadiens (Habs) in Game 2. It was only over 10 years ago that the Flyers snuck into the playoffs, and made a glorious run to the Stanley Cup Final. Lets get right into it with the takeaways from Game 2.
Turnovers
The Philadelphia Flyers turned the puck over way to many times in this game. In the first period we witnessed a terrible turnover by Jake Voracek, that Cater Hart had to bail him out. Play after the play, the Flyers gave up the puck all over the ice. The Montreal Canadiens were almost a full step in the Flyers. This is something that needs to be addressed by the coaching staff going into a big Game 3 on Sunday night at 8pm EST.
Where is the top line, or all lines for that matter? Potential line adjustments?
Not only the top line, but where are the Flyers star players? Before everyone says “Voracek got credited the goal in game 1.” One goal from one player, who honestly got a tad lucky with the puck glancing off his leg, does not justify the lack of points from the top players. Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, Kevin Hayes, Jakub Voracek, and Travis Konecny are credited with two points. If this team is going to win games, they need to jump up, and put pucks in the net like they have all season. After seeing this game, I think coach Head Coach Alain Vigneault will certainly be in need of shifting a few players on different lines. The top line of Coots, G, and Joel Farabee just didn’t work this game. If it was a closer game I wouldn’t consider it, unfortunately that’s not the case.
What’s a Powerplay?
The Flyers once again struggled on the Powerplay going 0-5 with the man advantage, and 1-19 for the playoffs thus far. This is just not acceptable. Scoring 1 PP goal all playoffs, including the Round Robin series is not going to win games. I think it’s time to adjust some things there like establishing a net front presence. One if the best Goaltenders in Carey Price makes all the routine saves, they have to get players to crash the net.
Kevin Hayes:
“I have every faith in the World we will respond the right way Sunday.”
Alain Vigneault:
“We got our butts kicked. We were outplayed in every facet of the game.”
Game 3 will be Sunday at 8pm. I have faith in the flyers as we all should. The time is now!
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
