The Philadelphia Flyers’ offense is still on the backs of milk cartons, and search and rescue efforts are being expanded; the Flyers were shellshocked by the visiting Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night, losing 5-1 at the Wells Fargo Center.
The return of Nick Seeler and the addition of Ivan Fedotov didn’t seem to provide much of a spark for the Orange and Black.
Flyers playing on “fumes”
Game 75 came and went for the Flyers, as they were outmatched by a bottom-six team in the NHL once again. Seven games remain on the regular season slate, and head coach John Tortorella believes the Flyers are gassed.
“I don’t think it’s through lack of preparation for us; I think they’re ready to play,” Tortorella said of his team. “I think the most important part of the game tonight was when we crawl back in at 2-1, TK hits the post right after on the next shift. We have a power play, a couple of ’em, which were awful, and then they score their power play to go up 3-1.
“We sucked tonight. We didn’t execute. We didn’t make one play,” Tortorella continued. “I know Sanny and Yorkie are on fumes. Just watching them play, they’re not even thinking correctly. We’re going to clear the deck, we’re going to start again Monday, and hopefully we’ll be able to win that one.”
Tyson Foerster reaches career milestone
Foerster scored the Flyers’ lone goal in the loss, giving the rookie 20 goals in a season for the first time in his young career.
The goal cut Chicago’s lead to 2-1 very early in the second and should’ve given the Flyers some momentum, but it didn’t.
“I don’t know, I mean, I thought we started off a bit slow there. This time of year, we just got to play better,” Foerster assessed bluntly.
“We don’t really care who we’re playing. We just got to be better, I think.”
A man of few words, Foerster is more focused on a pivotal game against the Islanders on Monday rather than his own individual achievements.
Flyers’ penalty kill becomes major concern
The Flyers boasted one of the NHL’s best penalty kills up until the trade deadline, where Sean Walker was dealt to Colorado and Nick Seeler was injured.
It’s been all downhill since.
Nick Foligno’s second period power play goal gave Chicago a lead that ultimately proved insurmountable.
Seeler, who returned to the Flyers’ lineup on Saturday night, hasn’t been overly impressed with the penalty kill unit.
“You’re going to have those stretches throughout a season,” Seeler remarked. “I think we just need to get back to what we were doing to be successful. We’re a pressure PK. Obviously, blocking shots is a big part of that. But, not letting the other team get set up, I think, is going to be important for us moving forward.”
The Flyers’ penalty kill percentage is just 67.6% since March 3, per Statmuse.
Because the Washington Capitals earned a point in an overtime loss to Boston on Saturday night, they have jumped the Flyers in the standings.
The Flyers are now in the final wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference, with Detroit just two points back with a game in hand.
On Monday, the Islanders come to Philadelphia for the most important game of the season. No pressure.
More must-reads: