Instant reactions: Dan Vladar gave Flyers a chance, Linus Ullmark frustrates Philly

First period

Tyson Foerster scored 29 seconds into the game, his third goal of the year. Foerster has a point in six of the first seven, picking up right where he left off last season when he put up nine goals and 13 points in the final 12 games. What if he just rules? That would go a long way to answering “where’s the high-end talent coming from?”

The whole Flyers lineup came out on fire, peppering Linus Ullmark with shot attempts, but the Sens weathered the early rush and tied it up, courtesy of Claude Giroux finding Michael Amadio with a cross-ice pass when two defenders both converged on G at the blue line. I liked the jump early, but it seemed like the momentum turned out of nowhere. So far, the Flyers have been good about not letting games get away from them.

How the hell didn’t Matvei Michkov score on the breakaway out of the box? It’s his dream opportunity. Owen Tippett and Trevor Zegras combined for a chance in the crease shortly after and the puck appeared to defy physics to stay out of the net. Anger.

Despite the hot start, the Flyers were outshot 14-9 in the opening 20 minutes. They badly need to end this march to the penalty box. They’re top-10 in short-handed time per game and didn’t do anything to improve their rankings in the first, but at least Dan Vladař is working on another star-worthy performance.

Second period

Michkov can’t convert again! This one was chance in front created by Jamie Drysdale’s strong pinch to create a turnover, and then our old pal Olle Lycksell scored his second career goal to put Ottawa up 2-1, and then Sean Couturier got called for Philly’s third penalty of the game. Less than ideal.

The pace isn’t what it was early, but the Flyers established the forecheck in the back-half of the middle frame and look a lot more like the solid squad we’ve seen (for the most part) to start the season. But they really need to get these chances through. Despite the pressure, Ullmark hasn’t really been tested.

Dan Vladar continued his strong game, making stops through traffic and giving his teammates a chance to swing back momentum, which they did somewhat, but not nearly enough chances from the offensive zone time. The Sens have only been credited with seven blocks through 40, but they’ve done well getting stick-on-stick and nullifying shooting opportunities by crowding the Flyers down low.

THIS GAME IS VERY WINNABLE!

Third period

The period started with 38 seconds of power play time, but the Flyers came up empty. Have they ever scored in those “clean sheet of ice” situations?

Nick Seeler got called for interference for pushing Ridly Greig into Vladar, and when Vladar went down my life flashed before my eyes. Please no! Ok, he seems alright and they killed the penalty with a bunch of short-handed chances.

Power play opportunity five minutes into the third, let’s go! It took the first 45 seconds to get set up and they’re still having trouble getting anything through to Ullmark. Well, with 13 seconds left in the man-advantage Trevor Zegras got called for a trip, because they’re simply unable to go five minutes without tripping somebody.

The Flyers got an offensive zone faceoff with 87 seconds left and the extra attacker replacing Vladar, but the Sens’ defense protected the house well enough to preserve the 2-1 victory.

Ultimately, the Flyers spent too much time short-handed, and didn’t capitalize on their early momentum. Solid effort, but the top of the lineup needs to create a whole lot more. Bummer.

PHLY Flyers Postgame