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Philadelphia Flyers Split Weekend Games: Stats and Analysis

By Marc Naples

Nov 11, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Roman Polak (46) pins Philadelphia Flyers forward Nick Cousins (25) against the boards at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Philadelphia 6-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Roman Polak (46) pins Philadelphia Flyers forward Nick Cousins (25) against the boards at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Philadelphia 6-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Philadelphia Flyers had an up-and-down weekend, suffering a defensive collapse against the Leafs but edging out the Wild. Stats and analysis:

Sigh. Against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Philadelphia Flyers‘ defensive woes reached new heights.

It didn’t start out well, as Nazem Kadri slipped around Michael Del Zotto to score on the Leafs first shot of the game. The Flyers recovered from this problem however, with a highlight-reel goal from Travis Konecny. Running largely even in possession, the Flyers even got themselves a lead, 3-2.

Things crashed and burned in the 3rd period. The Flyers’ defense began to come apart, and Mason couldn’t come up with any saves that his team needed. The result was 4 straight 3rd period goals for the Leafs, and an ugly loss for the Flyers.

Forwards

  • Couts Line Again. The Couturier line didn’t have their best game in terms of possession and chances, but they did score the Flyers’ only even-strength goal.
  • Old First Line. An older-look first line of Schenn-Giroux-Simmonds led the Flyers in ice time and scoring chances. Simmonds notched 2 goals, although both were in special teams situations. Otherwise, Simmonds led the team in shots, while Schenn threw his weight around with 6 hits.
  • Bottom-6 Still a Mystery. Michael Raffl was a healthy scratch, while Chris VandeVelde was a surprise inclusion. Lyubimov was also in the lineup. Regardless, the Flyers keep shuffling the bottom lines with little success.
  • Limited Success for 3rd Line.  Another new 3rd line deserves some credit for their performance last night. VandeVelde, Cousins and Weise did quite well in possession and quality of chances.

Defense

  • Ghost Grounded. After 2 games with a more talented defense partner, Shayne Gostisbehere was returned to hands of a possession anchor in Nick Schultz. The result was a PP assist for Ghost when away from Schultz, but -2 otherwise with an ~40% Corsi.
  • Gudas and MDZ Reunited. Dave Hakstol reunited his workhorse top pair from last season with Michael Del Zotto and Radko Gudas. It didn’t get off to a great start with the Leafs first goal, but they performed okay otherwise. Gudas, in fact, led the team with 24 total minutes and was the only defenseman to finish in the positive at +1.
  • Mann Down. Brandon Manning has been one of the Flyers best surprises this season, but the Hakstol’s search for reliable defense this season led to Manning being a healthy scratch. Don’t expect this to last for long, particularly after this meltdown.

Goaltending and Special Teams

The Philadelphia Flyers’ search for reliable goaltending very much continued in this game. Steve Mason ultimately conceded 6 goals on only 23 shots, failing to come up with timely saves. Even if no one goal conceded was particularly egregious, this is not good enough for wins.

On special teams specifically, there were quite a few special teams goals. Simmonds scored an early power play goal on a deflection for the Flyers, and he followed that up with an excellent shorthanded effort in the second period to give the Flyers the lead at 3-2.

That work was largely undone when the Flyers allowed 2 power play goals, as well as a shorthanded goal. The shorthanded goal was a real killer, making a 4-3 game 5-3. Claude Giroux turned over the puck and Mason couldn’t come up with the save.

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