Penalties cost Flyers in Tampa Bay
Daily News Flyers blog
Penalties cost Flyers in Tampa Bay
TAMPA, Fla. -- It was bound to happen at some point.
You can't hide from the whistles forever. The Flyers, the NHL's far and away leader in minor penalties through the first 8 days of the season, found out the hard way in Sunday evening's 5-1 thrashing at the hands of the high-powered Lightning offense.
Tampa Bay scored three times - twice on the power play - in a span of 4:21 in the first period to erase a lead Sean Couturier gave the Flyers in the first 59 seconds.
Yes, the Flyers are one of only 3 teams to have played 6 games so far, including Chicago and St. Louis, but they are also the least disciplined. The Flyers have 39 minor penalties called against them - an average of 6.5 per game. Buffalo (5 GP) is second with 30 minor penalties.
St. Louis entered their 6th game on Sunday night with 23 minors; Chicago with 18 (7th fewest).
The Lightning never looked back from that 3-1 lead, pouring it on with two more goals in the third period. Even when it didn't officially count on the scoresheet as a power play goal, Steven Stamkos' third tally of the season came just 12 seconds after Braydon Coburn exited the box midway through the third.
The loss cost the Flyers (2-4-0) a chance to even their record heading home from a back-to-back set in the Sunshine State. It was a polarizing weekend: a 5-1 defeat on the heels of a 7-1 rout across the state against the Panthers on Saturday night.
The penalties made for an unforgiving debut for Michael Leighton, who allowed all 5 goals in his first start of the season. It was Leighton's first NHL start since April 24, 2011, in which he was pulled from a playoff game against Buffalo. Ilya Bryzgalov was given the night off after 5 straight starts, in which he has played well.
For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @DNFlyers
Same old Leaky, he lets in three first period goals and the Lightning cruise to an easy victory. Tampa is now 7-1-1 against the Flyers in the last 9 games between the teams. P.S. Giroux blew the coverage on Hedman's goal...Claude just coasted back...guess he didn't feel like hustling...
Flyers really need to address the PK and PP.— Mike Boryla- Overall it was a crappy effort by our team. Giroux was having a horrible game. PP stinks PK sucks. Why is Leighton in the NHL? Very disappointing.— Nitroglycerin
- Holmgren, when he wakes up from his nap, is thinking about asking Leighton if he knows any decent goalies who might want to come work in Philly.— Claudio Vernight
- Lousy effort...gotta step it up on Tuesday Lundqvist seems to be back on his game ....Tuesday will be a huge test dont want to go 2-5...Flyerfan4life dont take it too hard your man BRYZ will carry us on Tuesday!!— flyers1000
- Exactly nitro! Why is he even in the NHL?? No other team wanted him, (I wonder why) and he's been horrible in the minors for two years and Homer makes him the back up goalie again!! I hope money is the only reason. I just can't believe the Flyers can't draft a decent goalie in the last 25 years?? It's unbelievable. I can't even watch him because of the hatred I have for him for giving up the weakest goal to loose a cup in the history of the NHL!!— kchaz
- Not gonna win many games scoring 1 goal, but Leaky was terrible as usual.— Sidewinder7
- You aren't going to win many games scoring one goal! Where's all the goal scorers? Little Petey is trap impaired,too many small players,get pushed around,you know the drill.Put Shelley back in,give the boys some real back-up.— quigly46
Ironically, Couturier's goal came at the same angle as Kane's winning Stanley Cup final goal, so I thought we would better with a score so quickly in the first minute.
From there, Leaky Leighton proved the accuracy of the name, as he flopped and flailed like Ryan Howard on an outside breaking pitch...in futility.
I don't want to be prophetic, but so many geniuses, ALL in lockstep agreement ( not me ) sees only good in sending Laughton back to the minors. You actually buy into all the cliches ( he'll play more ), when he is going back to a league with 17 games left. He played in all of the Flyer's games till today, and though he didn't score, played a solid game. This is a team sorely in need of guys who will put everything into it.
One last thing: Since the days of the Broad Street Bullies, and their nemesis ref, Ard Skov, in later generations, Andy Von Hellemond, then Kerry Frazier, it has been a totally lopsided affair in penalty calls. Did the Flyers commit stupid penalties? Of course, but under Bettman, the STATISTICS don't lie. The Flyers are always the most penalized team, many of them phantom calls. If I had the strength of Comcast behind me, I'd certainly be giving Bettman a private call.
Was it only the refs? Of course not, players ultimately play the game, but still.......- Are you really going to blame the refs, even partially, for a game in which the Flyers had more power plays than their opponent? Did you think all those calls against the Lightning were good (hint: they were not)?
If only the refs read your posts, I'm sure they would change their ways, ad we would be Stanley Cup bound. - flyerfan4life...show me in any post where I used the word GUARANTEED regarding Rangers vs Flyers this year...never did..You are the one using that word..nothing is guaranteed in sports..You have me convinced regarding BRYZ ...looking forward to him besting Lundqvist on Tuesday— flyers1000
- Do you EVER tell the truth?
— flyers1000 Posted 11:49 AM, 01/27/2013
Flyerfan4life...show me where I ever said the Rangers would sweep the Flyers again this year...it never happened...I have consistently said the Rangers are a better team in all areas but never guaranteed they would sweep the FLYERS again this year..
— flyers1000 Posted Posted 12:20 PM, 01/27/2013
Flyerfan4life...once again I never guaranteed it. - How anyone can blame this on Leighton is beyond me. Hate him all you want, but please...— bosso_fataka
- Ugly game. Looks real tough at this point to win 2nd game of back to back, league wide. Leighton was not good. Penalties are killing this team and that falls on the coach. Zero offense, again. Giroux needs to step up. Couts on ice for 4 out of 5 goals, meaning that he has been on the ice for all but 3 goals against (plus the penalty shot) this season-- 14 of 17 goals against-- ouch.
I wish I could be more optimistic, but with only a win against a tired Rangers squad (with the Flyers playing super desperate) and the OHL Panthers, tough to see the bright side at this point. - No one is blaming just Leighton. He is what he is a crappy goalie that should not be in the NHL. Most posters already said that effort was not there.— Nitroglycerin
