The Flyers picked up an important win against the New Jersey Devils in a game where they seemed to be fighting the Devils as much as they were fighting themselves. In the end special teams would lead the way, allowing the Flyers’ inconsistent 5v5 play to be enough for the victory.
First period
CF:9 CA:11 CF% 45.00
Despite the 1000 basis point disparity in the corsi percentage, the Flyers played a pretty good period. The Devils looked much faster at the start as were able to weather the storm unleashed in the first 10 minutes, due to the superb goaltending of Brian Elliott. A Flyers’ powerplay goal seemed to dull the Devil’s enthusiasm and slow the high danger chances and the pace of their players. The period would end with the Flyers leading, scoring the only goal.
Second Period
CF:11 CA:13 CF%: 45.83
The period began with the Flyers scoring again on the powerplay. They seized the momentum by controlling the puck and forcing the Devils to take a couple of penalties.
After two uninspired power play efforts the team initiated the self destructive sequence that we have seen too often this season. Initially, they were unable to win a race for icing, stemming from some confusion between Provorov and Braun. The Devils took advantage, retrieving the puck and scoring from a chance on the door step.
Moments later Travis Sanheim would try a stretch pass, while the Flyers were changing. The pass was intercepted by the Devils. They created a 3 on 2 and were able to beat Elliott. The second goal energized them as they poured on the pressure and extended their shot attempt advantage. The period would end in a tie at 2 a piece.
Third Period
CF:10 CA:15 CF%: 40.00
The Flyers were able to regain control of the game at the start of the third period. The intermission could not have come at a better time, as it seemed to calm the Devils’ swarm that had formed at the end of the second period.
The team would trade chances, but the Flyers seemed the more dangerous of the teams. Eventually the Devils’ would cave in, giving up two open net goals, the first scored by Patrick with a fabulous set up from Giroux. The second goal was scored by the slumping Farabee on a rebound off a Laughton shot, which was set up by the forechecking Lindblom.
This all but iced the game, with the Devils scoring a token goal after Philadelphia had taken a three goal lead thanks to Provorov’s empty net effort. The last ten minutes of the period saw the Flyers retreat into a defensive shell where they were more interested in making sure the Devils had to retrieve pucks from deep in their own end than generating shot attempts. This made corsi% misleading as the Devils were far from dominating.
Corsi Winner
NJD Andreas Johnsson CF:11 CA:2 CF%: 84.62
Johnsson picked up a primary assist on goal caused by the line change debacle. Besides this opportunity, Johnsson was not all that big a factor in the game, picking up only a single shot. He certainly did not hurt the Devils, but he was not the best player on the ice for them tonight.
Corsi Loser
PHI: Justin Braun CF:3 CA:18 CF%: 18.18
Braun’s anemic corsi was emblematic the rough night for the veteran defender. While Braun does have his limitations, he is usually able to make the hustle plays. This was not the case against the Devils. Braun lost races to the puck, he was unable to consistently take the puck from the Devils’ forwards. It was an off night for the defender, he seemed just a half step to slow, and the team was worse for the effort.
Conclusion
CF:30 CA:39 CF%:43.48
The Flyers leaned heavily on the power play, and the two power play goals dictated the state of play for the rest of the match. They were badly outplayed for only two stretches. The game’s first ten minutes saw a Devils team, that was racing, out skating, out working and out playing Philadelphia.
The last 10 minutes of the second period was dreadful for the Flyers, the negative corsi differential was not a positive development, but it may have been more a symptom than a cause. They made avoidable mental mistakes that created high danger opportunities and goals for the Devils.
The corsi percentage tells a story of Devils domination, and the Flyers were lucky to escape, with a win. In reality other than two stretches the Devils were not overly threatening. Most of the obstacles faced were invented by their own poor play or decisions.
While it is frustrating to see the same pattern of mistakes each night, there is reason for hope. The mistakes can be remedied, and the Flyers have not yet started to play their best hockey.