Three Standout Players In Flyers Blowout Loss vs Jets

These three players were better than average for the Philadelphia Flyers in their blowout loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

Looking to dodge a three-game losing streak following a 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, the Philadelphia Flyers visited the Bell MTS Place to take on the Winnipeg Jets. Winnipeg was in a relatively similar capacity, as well, aiming to avoid a two-game losing skid after dropping their last game to the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday. Brian Elliott received the start and opposed Connor Hellebuyck for the Jets while Robert Hagg entered the lineup for Philippe Myers. Nicolas Aube-Kubel also made his regular-season debut for the Flyers, and Carsen Twarynski returned to the team on the heels of a call-up with Scott Laughton and Tyler Pitlick out with separate injuries.

After keeping Philadelphia in the defensive zone for most of the period early on, the Jets were able to earn the game’s first goal on a wicked shot from Nikolaj Ehlers. Winnipeg executed a set faceoff play, as Blake Wheeler found Ehlers in the high slot off of the draw for the winger’s 14th goal of the season. Luca Sbisa doubled their lead minutes later, blasting a one-timer passed Elliott on the glove-side to gift the Jets a 2-0 advantage just underway halfway through the first. Philly did create their fair share of offense during the frame, out-shooting the opposition 10-8, but couldn’t beat the talented Hellebuyck as the opening stanza came to a close.

Matt Niskanen would be the guy to solve the talented goaltender in the second, cashing in on a fat rebound in front on the power play to put Philadelphia within one. Yes, you read that correctly, the Philadelphia Flyers scored a power-play goal in the year of our lord and savior 2019. I, too, was flabbergasted. Winnipeg eventually got that goal back, scoring on a power-play of their own off of the stick if Wheeler to go up, 3-1. Joel Farabee caused the penalty leading to the Wheeler tally, delivering a late hit on Mathieu Perreault that warranted a five-minute major and a game misconduct. The Jets went on to score four more goals in the frame, but James van Riemsdyk, for lack of a better term, responded with his second tally in as many games to make it a 6-2 affair heading into the third.

Elliott was pulled in favor of Carter Hart to begin the period, as the veteran netminder made just 11 saves on 17 shots, though it wasn’t all his fault. As for the third, it certainly was a period of hockey. Winnipeg scored some more, Shayne Gostisbehere netted himself a goal that gave Aube-Kubel his first career NHL point, and the Flyers eventually lost 7-3. That’s all you really need to know to be quite honest.

Among my standouts for the Flyers in this one, and trust me when I say there wasn’t a whole lot of them, I thought Kevin Hayes had himself an excellent game. The 6’5 centerman was consistently generating chances throughout the night and was arguably Philadelphia’s most dangerous player in the attacking zone. This was especially true in the first period, where Hayes’ line led Philadelphia in High Danger and total Scoring Chances For with three at 5-on-5, per Natural Stat Trick. He also assisted on both of the Flyers tallies, capping off an overall pleasant night for the 27-year-old forward.

Another player who played well in my eyes was David Kase. While he failed to get a point and had four shots on goal for the game, I really like the amount of energy he’s brought to the fourth line since coming up from the AHL earlier in the week. The Czech Republic native just never stops skating, and his decent amount of speed bodes well for him while pressure opponents on the forecheck. Kase has nearly everything I want out of a fourth-liner in the NHL, just without the point-production, which will hopefully come as he continues to receive time in the league.

Lastly, I’ll just go ahead and give Niskanen the final standout slot in this one. He scored Philadelphia’s only goal that wasn’t in garbage time. It also happened to be on the power-play, breaking a seven-game goalless drought for the team while up a man. Maybe it’ll finally get the man advantage going in the near future? Maybe? Please?

The Flyers are now 17-11-5 on the season. Next game is Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks.