Flyers almost complete comeback, get “goalied” by Juuse Saros in loss to Predators

Even after coming back from a two-goal deficit, the Flyers were unable to complete the comeback against the Predators. Their four game win streak comes to an end, but they are currently on a six game point streak.

Juuse Saros has been one of the hottest goaltenders in the league as of late, and he continued that on Tuesday night. He has wins in five consecutive starts and has only given up more that two goals in one of those starts. He stopped 39 of 41 shots against the Flyers and despite allowing the two goals, was a big reason the Predators pulled out the overtime victory.

The Flyers had a few golden chances to put a few more pucks behind Saros. Cam Atkinson had one of the best chances a little over midway through the first period when he came in all alone on the Preds’ goaltender. Unfortunately, he couldn’t lift the puck of the pad of Saros.

In the beginning seconds of the second period, Travis Konecny and Tyson Foerster had a 2-on-1 after the former came up with a takeaway at the blue line to spring the rookie forward. Saros robbed the one-timer from Foerster. Shortly after, Sean Couturier missed on short breakaway attempt.

Bobby Brink nearly had a wraparound goal in the final five minutes of the second that would’ve cut the deficit to 2-1. Once again, Saros had an answer for that with an incredible pad save. Kiefer Sherwood helped his goaltender out by slowing down the pass or Brink has a wide open net to work with.

The Flyers did manage to crack Saros in the final minute of the second period. Coming out of the penalty box, Joel Farabee took the feed from Sean Couturier. After skating in the zone, Farabee passed it across the zone to Couturier. The pass was slightly deflected but Couturier stuck with it and pulled it past the sliding Saros with 23.5 seconds to go.

The Flyers tying goal came with a little bit of luck attached. Travis Konecny worked his way around Gustav Nyquist coming into the zone. There was a lot of grabbing as the former could’ve and likely should’ve been called for holding. But no call was made and that set up Travis Sanheim’s equalizer.

To be fair, the Predators’ second goal came on a delayed penalty where Garnet Hathaway had possession of the puck and it wasn’t called. That led to a Luke Schenn blast from the point which was blocked on the way in. Michael McCarron found the loose puck and got it by Ersson. The goal made it 2-0 about three minutes into the second.

The Flyers showed their resiliency and should’ve been rewarded for outplaying the Predators at times. They outshot them in every period, not giving up double digit shots on any period. The final shot totals were 39-22. And that doesn’t count the 23 shots the Flyers blocked. Farabee, Egor Zamula, and Nick Seeler had a team-high three blocks apiece.

Saros played a large role in this game. But the Flyers inability to score on special teams can be looked at as well. Philadelphia had four opportunities to give this game a different outcome. And credit to them, they certainly tried. At some point, though, trying has to turn into success. You can’t continuously go through large droughts and expect to win games. 0/4 is iust unacceptable.

The Flyers will have a chance to get revenge when the Predators come to Philadelphia on Dec. 21. But for now, they will welcome in the Capitals on Thursday for a quick two-game homestand.