The Philadelphia Flyers were without their leading point producer Travis Konecny Tuesday night against the Edmonton Oilers due to injury. To no shock, the Flyers could not outscore the Oilers’ duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The Flyers are back in the “L” column, falling by a score of 4-2. The Flyers’ harsh reality is looming
The Scoring
Noah Cates kicked off the scoring in the first period with a pretty wraparound goal. It seemed the Flyers would head into the break with the lead, Joel Farabee got called for a high-sticking penalty with only six seconds left in the first. Within a blink of an eye, Oilers defenseman Tyson Barrie scored off the faceoff to tie the game. Owen Tippet was able to redirect a feed from Kevin Hayes to make 2-1 Flyers.
The Flyers were actually able to keep the Oilers’ two superstars at bay for much of the game. They held Edmonton to just ten shots in the game’s first 40 minutes. Unfortunately, reality crept up on Philly. In the final frame, a double minor assessed to Olle Lycksell eventually led to Draisaitl’s goal. The momentum shifted at that point toward Edmonton.
Connor McDavid logged the 800th point of his career with an assist on Leon Draisaitl’s game-tying power-play goal in the third period. He then scored a goal of his own just a few minutes later, becoming the game-winner. McDavid scored the empty-net marker in the game’s last moments to pile on. The two-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner finished with three points on the night.
Connor McDavid sped right from 700 NHL points to 800. McDavid (545 GP) became the fastest active player to record 800 career points, besting Sidney Crosby (571 GP) by 26 games. Leon Draisaitl records his 700th NHL point in his ninth NHL season. Two records were set in the game but unfortunately by the other team. With the same goal to make things worse.
The Harsh Reality Coming Into View
The Philadelphia Flyers were able to scrap together a victory over the Calgary Flames Monday, but at what cost? Travis Konecny, arguably the Flyers’ best player, exited the game early after taking a big hit from Calgary defenseman MacKenzie Weegar. He was scratched from the lineup and seen after the game wearing a sling.
The Flyers have now lost nine of their last twelve games, and without Konecny in the lineup, it I do not see it ending anytime soon. Philly is eight points out of a playoff spot with 23 games to play. I think the playoffs at this point would not be advantageous for the Flyers.
The Flyers lacked the discipline they had in their last outing with Edmonton. The Oilers were graced with four powerplays, and they converted on two of them. This of course cost the Flyers dearly. Carter Hart only had to contest ten shots in the first two periods. He stopped nine of them. He had a wake-up call in the third period with the onslaught of the Oilers. Hart finished with 23 saves on 26 shots.
The Flyers will have the next two days off before taking on their second back-to-back set of the week. They return to the Wells Fargo Center on Friday to face the Montreal Canadiens. Directly after that Philly makes a short jaunt up to Newark on Saturday to take on the New Jersey Devils. Again this is the harsh reality the Flyers have to face when staring up at a playoff opportunity.
Al is one of the two co-creators of Edge of Philly Sports. Al started radio and podcasting in 2012 and covering sports in 2015. A lifelong Philly sports fan since watching the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, and Flyers with his grandfathers at age 7. Al always looks at the other side of the hot topics and gives his different outlook on those topics. Web and Graphic Design.
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