The Flyers’ inability to cover forwards in the defensive zone was on display as the Flyers were completely destroyed by the New York Rangers.
First Period
CF:17 CA:6 CF%: 73.91% ZENO:2
The Flyers squandered a good effort in the only period that actually mattered and trailed the Rangers 2-0 by the period’s end. They dominated possession but could not get one past the Rangers’ netminder.
By contrast, the Rangers were able to bury two of their six chances. Both goals came from forwards who eluded coverage by the Flyers. Not to mention continual defensive breakdowns.
Second Period
CF:11 CA:20 CF%:34.48 ZENO:0
In what was the worst period of hockey in over a decade, the Flyers were annihilated in just about every facet of the game. The Rangers would score seven goals on their 20 chances in the second period. While some of the goals were unlucky, the team’s poor defensive zone coverage, particularly the forwards, was the primary reason for the lopsided scoreboard.
Third Period
CF:16 CA:11 CF%: 59.26% ZENO:2
The Flyers were let off the hook as the Rangers eased off the gas pedal in a period that could have been skipped completely since the outcome was not at all in doubt. The Flyers were demoralized, and the Rangers seemed content to let the clock run down.
Corsi Winner
PHI RW Travis Konecny CF:15 CA:6 CF%: 71.43
Konecny had his moments especially in the first period, where he out held a 6-0 CF advantage. In a game where seven 5 v. 5 goals were scored, TK was on the ice for none of them. I am sure that he is more concerned with the scoreboard than his gaudy possession metrics.
Corsi Loser
NYR D Libor Hajek CF:5 CA:14 CF%: 26.32
While Hajek did not have stellar corsi number, I don’t think there will be much concerns. Being on the winning end of a 9-0 rout leaves little to feel bad about.
Conclusion
CF:44 CA:37 CF%:55.74
Well, clearly corsi is a big fat liar, though no matter how the possession metrics came out, it would be nearly impossible to provide the magnitude and context of this blowout game that was decided with 10 minutes left in the second period at the latest.
This game was the culmination of the organization’s failure since last year’s playoffs and brings up questions about the seasons expectations. The front office failed to replace Niskanen, who gave Provorov the license to play aggressively. The decision to bring in Gustafsson, an offensive defensemen, seems a frivolous one. The coaching staff has watched the team play poorly in their own end for weeks, and have failed to ingrain the needed adjustments, and the players stunk top to bottom on this evening.
The good news is that this was just one game, and there is plenty of season left. But it seemed all of the Flyers’ weaknesses were on display, and the Rangers exploited them. There needs to be some soul searching before the puck drops against the Islanders.