| PERIOD | PHI | BUF |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 15 | 5 |
| 2nd | 9 | 11 |
| 3rd | 6 | 6 |
| Total | 30 | 22 |
| CATEGORY | PHI | BUF |
|---|---|---|
| Power Plays | 0/2 | 1/3 |
| Hits | 16 | 39 |
| Faceoff Wins | 34 | 34 |
| Giveaways | 3 | 7 |
| Takeaways | 2 | 4 |
| Blocked Shots | 8 | 19 |
| Penalty Minutes | 6 | 4 |
(Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)
First off, rest in peace to former Blackhawks’ defenseman Steve Montador, who, earlier today, was found unconscious in his Ontario home, and subsequently was pronounced dead on the scene. Prior to last-night’s game, a moment of silence was observed for him at Buffalo’s First Niagara Center; he was 34.
Considering the fact that they played the worst team in the league last night, the Flyers didn’t play all that well, nor energetic, despite coming away with a win. Winger Michael Raffl and defenseman Braydon Coburn returned to the lineup. Due to pneumonia in his lower-left lung, Raffl hadn’t played since prior to the All-Star break — on January 20th vs. Pittsburgh — eight-games prior to last-night’s game. As for Coburn, prior to last night, he missed the past-four weeks, due to a lower-body injury. Andrew MacDonald returned to the team, after his grandmother’s passing, although he was a healthy scratch for the game, as was fellow defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo and center Zac Rinaldo.
Right-winger Wayne Simmonds, who had an assist (on Matt Read’s goal) and a +1 rating, put forth another solid effort, although he didn’t register a shot on the night (on three attempts). Simmonds now has a four-game point streak, registering six points total during that streak- dating back to February 8th, and points in seven out of his last-eight games. On the year, he ranks tied for 10th in the league in goals (21).
Philadelphia’s now undefeated in their last-nine games, going 6-0-3, dating back to that aforementioned January 20th bout with Pittsburgh, in which they won in overtime, 3-2. In those nine games, they’ve not only outscored the opposition by a ratio of 24:18 but have inched closer to a playoff spot. Although — in the past-several games — they’ve blown a few-late leads and chances at a win, they’ve made up some ground on Boston, who’s currently the second wild-card team in the East. As of now, Philadelphia’s five-points behind Boston (who has 63), and two behind Florida (who’s behind Boston for the last spot), for the last wild-card spot. Both Boston and Florida have a game on hand on Philadelphia, 55-56. Thankfully for the Flyers, unlike them, Boston and Florida have been average as of late, as they’re a combined 8-9-3 in their last-20 games.
After his return today, Raffl scored the game-winning goal, which was his first goal, coincidentally, since January 17th at Buffalo. He was also the first star of the game, and he’s now had a game-winning goal in two of his last-four games. In his post-game remarks, he mentioned that he felt winded in his first-two shifts, but felt better as the game went along.
(Photo by Rob Marczynski/Getty Images)
Despite the win, the Flyers’ top line again proved to be lackluster and ineffective. The last time Jake Voracek, who’s second in the league in scoring (with 60, three behind Patrick Kane), scored an even-strength goal, the Eagles were (believe it or not) still in playoff contention (December 18th). Including last-night’s game, he has just two points in his last-six games, while Claude Giroux has three in his last seven. Despite the recent hot streak, if the Flyers want to remain hot and in playoff contention, they’ll need the support and consistency of their top line; mainly Giroux and Voracek. This year, Giroux’s five points behind Voracek in scoring (55 to 60), which is good enough for (tied for) sixth in the league, while Voracek leads the league in assists (42).
On the night, Giroux had two penalties, five shots, and one hit, in just over 17 minutes of ice time. He was 5-10 in the face-off circle, and only 2-7 in five-on-five neutral-zone face-offs. Meanwhile, Voracek had only one shot, and nothing more, in just over 19 minutes.
Matt Read opened up the scoring 3:19 in the game, by redirecting a Wayne Simmonds’ point shot, for his fifth goal off the season. Although he had a tough first half of the season, Read’s been impressive as of late, as he has a four-game point streak.
After a very-solid, energetic first period, which included 15 shots, the Flyers — during the second period — had arguably their worst period of the year. Simply put, they were sloppy, slow, and ineffective. To boot, Buffalo outscored them 1-0, when — 13:57 in — Sabres’ defenseman Nikiti Zadorov tied the game at one a piece, as he scored his third goal of the year by way of a slap-shot near the right face-off circle.
(Photo by Bill Wippert/Getty Images)
As mentioned, Michael Raffl rounded out the scoring, with a goal over 12-minutes into the third. Philadelphia’s forecheck behind the Buffalo net proved to be effective, as defenseman Michael Del Zotto fought for the puck, dished it to center Ryan White, and White led the puck to Raffl, who quickly sneaked it behind Sabres’ netminder Michal Neuvirth.
Despite stopping 28 of 30 Flyers’ shots on the night, Neuvirth’s now lost 10-straight decisions– he’s 3-16-1 on the year. Ray Emery proved to be effective in net, too, although he wasn’t tested a whole lot, as he stopped 21 of 22 shots.
(Photo by Bill Wippert/Getty Images)
(Bill Wippert/Getty Images)
Going forward, to begin a four-game home-stand, they play next at home on Tuesday night vs. a Sergei-Bobrovsky-less Blue Jackets’ team; their final match-up of the year. They lost in overtime at Columbus two-games/three-days ago, 4-3; they’re 1-1-2 vs. Columbus so far this season. After the win last night, Philadelphia wrapped up a four-game road trip; they went 2-0-2 on it. They’ll square off against Buffalo again, in three days from now at home.
Tags: 2-1, analysis, buffalo sabres, Claude Giroux, Hockey, Jakub Voracek, Kyle Lutz, kylelutz, NHL, Philadelphia Flyers, post-game, ray emery, recap, Talk Sports Philly, TalkSportsPhilly
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