Corsi Analysis: Uneven Possession Does Not Stop Flyers in Win Over Pens

The Flyers grabbed a two to one shoot out victory over their in-state rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins, in an action packed, but choppy game. The game was more defined by the chances, laying near the goal line, that stayed out rather than the goals that were scored.

First Period

CF:9 CA:8  CF%:52.94%

Scoring chances were not abundant for either club in the first period as both teams, at different times, seemed to have trouble penetrating the defense. While neither team was brimming with intensity, the Penguins came out stronger to start the period, with Crosby and new Penguin, and old Flyer,  Jeff Carter providing intermittent chances in the sleepy period.

The Flyers would have intermittent chances through out the period with a late flurry over the final thirty seconds. The real possession story was the play of Hagg and Gostisbehere who finished the period with a CF-CA advantage of 3-0 and 6-0 to the good respectively. Perhaps this is the start of a great partnership.

Second Period

CF:14 CA:20 CF%: 41.18%

The second period had more of the edge we have come to enjoy in the rivalry games.  Where the first period had a serene walk in the park feeling, the second period turned into a heated tug-o-war. The Flyers would challenge first with an overly complex three on one. It was less a scoring chances for the Flyers and more a call to arms by the Penguins.

Jeff Carter would give Hart his first challenge of the period , which he saved, but a scrum on the rebound nearly ended up in the net. The Penguins continued to get the better of it, in quality and quantity of chances, until a whiff by Hart and a Crosby finish, who started the rush without his stick. The goal capped a 10-2 Pens’ run on chances.

The Flyers would come close to scoring, with two excellent chances by prospect Wade Allison, who made his debut this night. The teams traded chances in the second half of the period which ended with the Flyers trailing 1-0.

Third Period and Overtime

CF:13 CA:14 CF%: 48.15%

The pace of the game downshifted in the third period where the chances were not as easy to come by. The Flyers would tie the game and then lean on Hart to keep it that way. Hart was tested repeatedly and had to contend with much harder chances than his opposite on Pittsburgh. Without Hart erasing Flyers’ mistakes, five odd man rushes, the Penguins likely would have won.

Corsi Winner

PIT D Kris Letang CF:22 CA: CF%:78.57%

Letang was flying on this night, especially at his offensive blue line. Letang was able to win puck in the offensive zone and extend the Penguins’ time in the offensive zone. Letang clearly has confidence in his partner Brian Dumoulin to take care of the back end based on how aggressive he was on his pinches.

Corsi Loser

PHI D Ivan Provorov CF:9 CA:23

Provorov’s possession numbers were not great on this night, but there were reasons.  Provorov spent most of his night matched up against Crosby, most of the time starting in his own zone. Provorov led the team with seven defensive zone starts. Despite his depressed numbers, the Flyers did not give up a goal with Provorov on the ice.

Conclusion

CF:36 CF:42 CF%: 46.15%

The Flyers could not the match the Penguins in number or quality of chances, but still managed to get the win, mostly due to the play of Hart. This resembled the Flyers of last season, where Hart’s play was the margin of victory. He was calm and cool and stopped all but one shot. He also stopped at least two other chances that would have been goals if not for his heroics.

While it is tempting to say that Hart’s play was all the difference, and much of it was, the Flyers were able to eliminate the cross ice one timers or tap ins that have bedeviled the team most of the season. This win and the effort on defense maybe something the team can build on.