Watch PHLY Flyers Postgame

The Philadelphia Flyers just don’t have what it takes to keep pace with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

It’s not even like the Bolts have been THAT MUCH better than the Orange & Black in these consecutive meetings, but the firepower difference is allowing the Lightning to take advantage of mistakes, convert on the power play, and make the score differential much steeper than the quality of play.

Whether it’s Trevor Zegras finding another level, or Matvei Michkov finally figuring himself out this season, or Travis Konecny taking his style of leadership to the crease and wreaking havoc with the man advantage, something has to change with this power play if Philly wants to seriously keep up with the class of the East.

First period

Highlight: Shots on goal were 2-1 Tampa with 5:42 left in the opening frame, when Brayden Point got loose in the offensive zone and took the puck to the net, getting three clean cracks at Dan Vladar, but the Czech Olympian in Orange & Black made three consecutive saves against Point to keep the Flyers deficit only 1-0. It was a mostly boring period, although the final five minutes opened up a bit. But it was just before the Flyers’ offense awoke that Vladar made a trio of huge saves against the Bolts’ superstar center: https://x.com/Flyers_Clips/status/2010872351995433058?s=20

What I want to see next period: Hit the freakin’ net. Sure, the Lightning only outshot the Flyers by one, 6-5 in the first 20 minutes, so it was low-event all around. But the Flyers couldn’t find the 4×6 with a compass that period. They’re only being credited with two missed attempts in the box score right now, but there were AT LEAST three, and all from high-danger areas. Trevor Zegras, Christian Dvorak and Sean Couturier all missed the target from the slot. Overall, Philly had five SOG on 12 attempts. They need to get more possession time, and turn it into actual testers for Tampa’s backup goalie Jonas Johansson.

Second period

Highlight: Christian Dvorak scored to cut Tampa’s lead to 3-1 after a couple early goals for the Lightning by Jake Guentzel and Brayden Point. But really, the “highlight” is special teams. Brandon Hagel scored with 31 seconds left in the period, giving Tampa two power play goals on two opportunities. Meanwhile, the Flyers’ power play continues to absolutely suck. Zero-for-two in the period and for the game, brings Philly to 9/75 (12%) since November 14th. It’s incredible how bad this power play is. Truly horrendous.

What I want to see next period: Don’t let this one get out of hand like Saturday night. The Flyers perobably aren’t coming back, but they can protect Dan Vladar, and compete, unlike their matchup against this same Tampa team a couple days ago. Maybe you can get one early and think about making the period competitive. But I just don’t want to see Vladar tagged with five or six goals against tonight. Try to keep this within reasonable goalie-pull territory late in the third.

Third period

Highlight: TWO FIGHTS AT ONCE! HELL YEAH! After Rodrigo Abols delivered a big hit in Tampa’s zone, Nick Paul instigated a fight with Abols, and simultaneously Nikita Grebenkin started chuckin’ ’em with Max Crozier. Awesome! If you’re gonna lose, go down swinging.

Final note: Win or fight. That should be this team’s motto. If we’re obsessed with the crest and history and the “Flyers Way” they should be the Broad Street Bullies. You come in here to take two points? You’re gonna need some ice packs afterwards.

Watch PHLY Flyers Postgame