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Philadelphia Flyers Keep Sputtering in Loss to Ducks: Stats and Notes

By Marc Naples |
Oct 20, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) poke checks the puck away from Philadelphia Flyers right wing Jakub Voracek (93) as defenseman Cam Fowler (4) defends during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Ducks defeated the Flyers, 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) poke checks the puck away from Philadelphia Flyers right wing Jakub Voracek (93) as defenseman Cam Fowler (4) defends during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Ducks defeated the Flyers, 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Several concerning patterns continued as the Philadelphia Flyers lost again, this time to the winless Ducks in their home opener

If there was one game where one might hope that the Philadelphia Flyers would buck the trend of slow starts this season, it would be the home opener. Instead, the Flyers could hardly get the puck up the ice in the first period against the Anaheim Ducks.

The Flyers would score 2 goals in a power play heavy second period, but the game ended as it began–devoid of Flyers offensive pressure. This makes two games in a row against vulnerable Western Conference teams where the Flyers failed to sustain offensive pressure. The Flyers went out with whimper, mustering only a measly 2 shots on goal over the final 10 minutes when in need of an equalizer.

Forwards

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  • Reading Rainbow. Matt Read was one of the few bright spots for the Flyers again. He scored a beautiful goal, as he continues to display and ton of jump and keeps pressing for the net. That’s 4 goals in the last 3 games.

More from Broad Street Buzz

  • Missing Raffl. For at least one game, the top line looked a lot worse with Brayden Schenn returning from suspension in place of the injured Michael Raffl. It wouldn’t be fair to lay that all at the feet of Schenn, but aside from a pretty power play goal, these guys really didn’t generate much at even-strength.
  • Shooting Blanks. The second line was the only group that came out in the positive in shots, but it only amounted to a few isolated scoring chances. Voracek added yet another assist tonight, but it was again on the power play.

Defense

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  • Invisible Ghost. After burning up the shot charts the last few games, Ghost was not as impactful against the Ducks. He only got one shot to the net, and was -2. He continued to lead the team in ice time.
  • Mann-up. To some, Brandon Manning has been the Flyers best defenseman this season, and he was entrusted with a lot of even-strength ice time tonight. This should be taken with a grain of salt, however, given that he was resting on the bench during all the special teams situation tonight.
  • Crazy Ivan. Another game, another questionable goal against Ivan Provorov. A lot of fingers will be pointed at Provorov on the Ducks first goal, but Ghost shares some blame there for the coverage gap in the middle of the ice. Provorov finished at -1, conceding 2 goals while on the ice and almost a 3rd on a bad giveaway at the Flyers’ net. Provorov is -6 over the last 2 games, being on the ice for 7 goals against. Hakstol still has enough faith in him to play him 20 minutes in this one, however.

Next: Flyers Must Be Patient During Youngsters' Growing Pains

Up Next

The Philadelphia Flyers are back in action on Saturday night against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Canes are 1-1-2 after grabbing their first win on Thursday night against the Flames.

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