Biggest winners and losers after Flyers waste dream start in Game 2 loss

The Philadelphia Flyers learned that their series against the Carolina Hurricanes was going to be difficult after being shut out 3-0 in Game 1. All they could do was move on and try to learn from that loss, and put up a better fight in Game 2.

On Monday, the Flyers played a much better game and gave the Hurricanes difficulty. After taking an early 2-0 lead less than five minutes into the first period, the Hurricanes came back to tie things up to force overtme. Even though the Flyers put up a bunch of shots on goal in overtime, they lost 3-2 to the Hurricanes after a winning goal from Taylor Hall.

Now, the Flyers find themselves down 0-2 in their first round series. Game 2 will be one that slipped away from them, as it was winnable.

Here are the biggest winners and losers in Game 2.

Winners and losers after Flyers' waste chance to tie series vs. Hurricanes in Game 2 loss

Winner: Jamie Drysdale

Entering Game 2, the Carolina Hurricanes had a five game streak in which they did not trail a game in these Stanley Cup Playoffs. That's how dominant they have been thus far. The Flyers got a taste of that in Game 1, where they lost 3-0.

But in the first period on Monday night, the Flyers ended the streak, thanks to defenseman Jamie Drysdale. A little over four minutes into the game with the Flyers on the power play, Drysdale struck by getting a rebound off of Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen and shot it past him to put Philadelphia up 1-0.

Drysdale bringing an end to a historic start? That's a winner to us.

Loser: Cam York

If there was one story of the game, it was the countless penalties called on both teams. Eventually, it was only a matter of time until it would cost them. For Cam York, hero of the first round, he committed a penalty that got the Hurricanes on the board.

After leading 2-0, York was called for holding Sebastian Aho. The Hurricanes power play passed the puck around the Flyers' penalty kill, and a wide open Nikolaj Ehlers unleashed a shot past Dan Vladar to cut the Hurricanes' deficit to 2-1.

The last thing the Flyers needed to do was keep the Hurricanes in the game, and York did just that.

Winner: Sean Couturier

Couturier was impressive in Game 1, as he was all over the ice despite the loss. In Game 2, Couturier helped extend the Flyers' lead not too long after Drysdale put them up 1-0 early. As Carl Grundstrom skated behind the net, he backhanded a pass to Couturier, who stood in front of the net and put the puck past Andersen, putting the Flyers up 2-0 4:41 into the game.

Besides scoring a goal, Couturier was incredible in the face off circle, winning 10-of-14 attempts at one point late in the third period. While shots on goal and goals scored are important statistics, winning face-offs are too.

It was a great game for the Flyers veteran.

Losers: Flyers' power play

The Flyers had opportunity after opportunity after opportunity with a skater advantage. In regulation, Philadelphia had six power play chances. While yes, Drysdale did score on their first opportunity, the Flyers struggled putting shots on net. On those six power plays, the Flyers only had two shots on goal. Yes, you read that right. Two shots on goal in six chances. That's not going to win you playoff hockey games.

Luckily for the Flyers, the Hurricanes' power play unit was just as ineffective.

Winners: Flyers' penalty kill

While Philadelphia's power play unit was brutal, their penalty kill was efficient.

Sure, the Flyers penalty kill did allow Ehlers' goal in the first period, but they did their part for the rest of the game. Much like the Flyers, the Hurricanes had six power play chances, and they only converted on one of them The difference is, Carolina's power play unit was much more dangerous, as they were actually putting shots on goal.

The Flyers could take solace in that, at least.

Losers: The Refs

Look, it's easy to nitpick with the officials over calls they made or missed due to instant replay. But wow, did the referees really kill the vibe of the game with the amount of penalties called. In regulation, the Flyers and Hurricanes were called for six penalties and 14 penalty minutes each.

The last thing fans want to see if the on-ice officials get too involved during a playoff game. You can argue that that's what this officiating crew did on Monday night.

Winner: Dan Vladar

Yes, Dan Vladar gave up the game-winning goal in overtime, but he is far from a loser for the Flyers. Even in a Game 1 loss, Vladar saved 39-of-42 shots on goal. He has rebounded quite well after a brutal stretch in Games 4 and 5 in their first-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

On Monday, you could not fault Vladar for the loss, as he did everything in his power to keep the Flyers in the game with a chance to win. If anything, his teammates let him down, especially by squandering six power play opportunities. That would make any goaltender angry.

In nearly 79 minutes of playing time, Vladar stopped 40-of-43 shots on net. Much like the Flyers, the Hurricanes only had one goal on six power plays. The thing is, the Hurricanes were more effective on the power play than the Flyers.

If the Flyers want to stand any chance in this series, they need their offense to wake up and start making the most of their opportunities. Vladar is doing everything in his power to give them a chance to win. Game 2 was a winnable game for Philadelphia, and they let it slip away.

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