No Offense But, No Offense
The Philadelphia Flyers (8-6-3) took on the Tampa Bay Lightning (11-4-3) in the front end of a two games in two nights in Florida.
The Flyers offense apparently started their Thanksgiving early and got shutout, 4-0.
Going up against arguably the best goalie on the planet in Andei Vasilevsky, Philly simply could not solve him with his 34 save effort.
Vasilevsky improved his career record to 199-86-22.
“There’s no doubt that he is the best goaltender in the world right now,” Flyers coach Alain Vigneault said. “He’s won two Stanley Cups. He wants to play every game. A big body, great work ethic. He’s the standard right now.”
Is it time to panic? With only 20% of the season in the books, Philadelphia has been a Jekyl and Hyde team.
In the early going, this team would routinely put up five goals.
Fast forward and they have scored two goals or less in 10 of their last 12 games.
WHAT WENT ON?
Basically, very little from the Orange and Black.
With 2:28 played, Zach Begosian put Tampa in front with help from Mikhail Sergachev (2a) and Pat Maroon.
It was Bogosian first goal in 62 games and it proved to be a game winner.
OK, NOT SO BAD
It continued to worsen with the Lightning striking twice in the middle stanza thanks to Steven Stamkos (1g, 2a) with Ryan McDonagh and Bogosian doing the grinding.
Ten minutes later, Corey Perry, following the lead of Bogosian, hit net for the first time in 37 games.
Sergachev and, him again, Stamkos, collecting assists.
With the way Vasilevsky was playing, it may as well been 6-0.
“For the last 30 minutes of the game, we weren’t very good,” Vigneault said. “Our passing game was off, created numerous amount of Grade-A opportunities for them. They were the better team.”
TO THE FINAL TWENTY
Stamkos was at it again and hit Alex Barre-Boulet for the fourth and final goal.
INSIDE THE GAME:
Not only is the offense an issue but, again the Flyers had a goose egg on the power play on only one chance.
Carter Hart stopped 31 of the 35 he faced.
Keith Yandle continues to be an iron-man and played in his 939th consecutive game.
Philly has one bright spot. The face offs. Winning 38 of 60 with Sean Couturier nabbing 10 with help from
Nate Thompson and Claude Giroux who each came away 9 wins.
Scott Laughton secured 8.
Derick Brassard left with a “lower body” injury. Kevin Hayes is listed as “week to week”.
Will we be seeing Morgan Frost anytime soon?
Next up, a match up with the Florida Panthers.
Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.
Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.
A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.
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