Philadelphia Flyers Undone By Giveaways vs Rangers: Stats and Analysis

The Philadelphia Flyers continue to get bit by deflating goals against, losing their Black Friday matchup with the New York Rangers; stats and analysis

This game promised to be an interesting test for the Philadelphia Flyers. The New York Rangers have been the biggest surprise success of the season, doing everything right the Flyers have gotten wrong this season.

Despite the worries, the Flyers matched the Rangers early. Then about 10 minutes in, it looked like the Flyers began to build offensive pressure. Unfortunately just as that happened, the Rangers scored on two consecutive chances in the span of 90 seconds. In this case, the Rangers’ first goal came on an unforced turnover by Scott Laughton behind the net.

Soon trailing 2-0, both the Flyers and the Rangers took their foot off the gas for several minutes. Midway through the second period, the Flyers again began to turn up the pressure when another unforced error struck. This time it was Mark Streit with an inexplicable pass right up the middle of the defensive zone that ended up in the Flyers net.

The Flyers pressed hard in the third against a bunkering Rangers team. This eventually led to 2 goals (one with an empty net), but it wasn’t enough to change the fate of a 3-2 loss for the Flyers.

Forwards

Adjust for Inflation. The Flyers’ shot numbers overall are inflated from an advantage in shot attempts in third of 34-10 while the Flyers were pushing for a big comeback. Their performance isn’t as good as the Corsi percentages might suggest.

More from Broad Street Buzz

New Top Line Underwhelming. Since being put together a few games ago, the line of Schenn-Giroux-Voracek has not been terribly impressive. Voracek and Giroux combined for 13 shot attempts while Voracek in particular was charging around with the puck, but the small bubbles above show limited actual scoring chances. This is a repeat of the Tampa game. Also, Schenn is bringing up the rear in Corsi percentage.
Up and Down for Laughton Line. With Dale Weise playing with jump recently, and Scott Laughton joining the Flyers, it was pretty productive game for this line in terms of Corsi. Chris VandeVelde also got the scoring started. Unfortunately, Laughton also gave away the puck behind the Flyers net leading the Rangers’ first goal.

Defense

MacDonald Not an Anchor for Once. This chart above shows the rare game where Andrew MacDonald is not on the low side of Corsi compared to his teammates. Furthermore, on VandVelde’s goal, MacDonald made an aggressive foray into the offensive zone.
Ivan Leading. Fresh off his first NHL goal, Ivan Provorov led the Flyers in overall ice time in this one, albeit with softer 5v5 matchups.
Bad Turnover Sinks Streit. While Provorov and Streit were handling heavy minutes, they took one big, wrong step on the Rangers’ 3rd goal. Streit made a very poor play straight up the middle, making the game 3-0 and a comeback that much harder.
Manning and Gudas Bang to Little Effect. Radko Gudas and Brandon Manning combined for 9 hits and a fight, while throwing 9 pucks towards the net. Surprisingly, 8 of those 9 attempts were blocked.

Goaltending and Special Teams

This game was not decided in goal or on special teams. There was only one power play the whole game, coming on a double-minor early in the game. The Flyers killed that one well.

In net, none of the goals Steve Mason conceded could be called softies. It would’ve been nice for him to come up with a few big saves, however.

Next: Flyers Again Best by Lightning

Up Next

The Philadelphia Flyers have one day off before a game with the Calgary Flames on Sunday night. Compared to the Lightning and Rangers, the Flames are a much easier matchup.

This could be a high scoring game, The Flyers and Flames are 29th and 28th in the NHL in goals allowed, respectively. Two things to watch from a Flyers’ perspective are the possible return of Michael Del Zotto form press box banishment, and the possible NHL debut of goalie Anthony Stolarz.

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