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Flyers’ poor defense leads to first loss of season versus Buffalo

By Colin Newby

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 18: Nicolas Aube-Kubel #62 of the Philadelphia Flyers moves the puck against the Buffalo Sabres in the first period at Wells Fargo Center on January 18, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 18: Nicolas Aube-Kubel #62 of the Philadelphia Flyers moves the puck against the Buffalo Sabres in the first period at Wells Fargo Center on January 18, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /
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The Flyers fell back down to earth in a big way on Monday night with an ugly 6-1 defeat at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres were in control from start to finish, as they outshot the Flyers 36-22 and led for nearly 56 minutes of game time. It was Buffalo’s first regulation victory in Philadelphia since 2011.

Flyers goalie Carter Hart was chased from the game early, giving up 4 goals on 22 shots and picking up a questionable tripping minor that led to a Sabres power play goal. Hart played a strong 1st period but couldn’t stop the floodgates with sloppy defensive zone and transitional play in front of him. Backup Brian Elliott allowed 2 goals in relief.

Buffalo winger Sam Reinhart scored twice in his first game after being promoted to the first line alongside stars Jack Eichel and Taylor Hall. He was named the first star of the game. Fourth liner Curtis Lazar also added his first 2 tallies of the season. The Flyers lone goal came in the final minutes from Nicholas Aube-Kubel after the game was out of reach.

The Flyers could not find a way to sustain offensive pressure to match prolific 6 and 5 goal performances in the first two respective games. Travis Konecny was stifled after his first career hat trick Friday night, and the Flyers missed the presence of their injured first line center Sean Couturier. 

Kevin Hayes, Claude Giroux, and Joel Farabee showed sparing flashes of solid puck control but could not impose any kind of physical presence in the Buffalo zone. Alain Vigneault inserted Konecny in Farabee’s place late in the game, and it will be interesting to see the line combinations for tomorrow’s game.

The Flyers didn’t show a heightened level of intensity while they still had any chance at a comeback attempt. However, a late double minor from Aube-Kubel in the final minutes could potentially inspire a more spirited attack going into Tuesday’s game, especially if linemates Michael Raffl and Scott Laughton can provide the same type of energy.

The Flyers will look to avenge the loss when they face off against the Sabres again tomorrow night at the Wells Fargo Center. The bizarre scheduling of the 2021 season lends itself to opportunities to overturn a brutal loss like this one.

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