Flyers start 0-2 for first time since '08
Daily News Flyers blog
Flyers start 0-2 for first time since '08
Frank Seravalli
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Five percent of the Flyers' season is gone, and they've yet to register a point in the standings. That's the unfortunate reality of the NHL's shortened, 48-game season.
Almost all of the Flyers' troubles on their opening weekend could be attributed to shoddy special teams play. Buffalo scored separate power play and shorthanded goals over the final 6 minutes to break a 2-2 tie, dropping the Flyers, 5-2, in their home-opener at the First Niagara Center.
The Flyers were back on the ice early Sunday for their second nationally-televised game of the weekend, less than 20 hours after going 0-for-5 on the power play while allowing 2-of-3 power play goals against Pittsburgh on Saturday.
The Flyers are now 20-14-11 all-time in their first road contest of a season.
This is the Flyers' first 0-2-0 start to the season since 2008. In fact, it took them nearly 85 minutes of play to gain their first lead of the season, which Claude Giroux did with a top-shelf, power play snipe in the second period.
That lead lasted just 10:57, before Thomas Vanek matched for Buffalo with his own man-advantage tally.
Defenseman Tyler Myers broke a 2-2 tie with 5:03 left in the third period. Newly-acquired defenseman Luke Schenn was in the box for two of Buffalo's three power play goals. Cody Hodgson added an insurance goal for the Sabres and Vanek iced it with an empty-netter.
The Flyers closed their first weeked just 4-for-9 on the penalty kill and 1-for-9 on the power play.
SLAP SHOTS: Forward Zac Rinaldo left the game midway through the first period with a “lower-body” injury and did not return. NBC’s Pierre McGuire reported on-air that Rinaldo was cut my a skate. The Flyers are expected to provide more information post-game ... Former Flyer Ville Leino missed the game with a right hip injury ... Moorestown, N.J., native T.J. Brennan was a healthy scratch for Buffalo. The Sabres do not want to risk sending Brennan, 23, back to AHL Rochester through waivers for risk he’ll be claimed ... The Sabres were also missing perennial thorn Nathan Gerbe, who is still recovering from back surgery.
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- Ed Snider can't live forever. This organization needs to stop the promoting of every past Flyer into a coaching, management or scouting position. They refuse to study and learn from the winning organizations. They still think they can recover the magic of 40 years ago. First order of business is to steal one of Detroit's or NJ's scouts and make hime head of our scouting department. The Flyers haven't drafted an all-star defenseman in decades. Same with the goaltending position.
— schnitzelboy - The goaltending has been the lone brightspot morons. I'm so sick of the no-nothing hockey fans. Bryz has been positionally sound and anticipating great..every goal has either been deflected or screened. Now, the real issues are the line combos and you could see it coming. Schenn looks lost on top line. get Voracek up there, and let Schenn go back to center or maybe a winger on Briere's line when he gets back along with Simmonds. Couturier belongs centering the 3rd line with talbot and Read. Laughton looks decent to stay if Rinaldo misses a few, and can center wellwood and fedotenko. Briere coming back will mak a huge difference IMO. Miss Jagr much? he's lighting it up already— philly thug
- Lavy is definitely the issue...been saying this after I gave him a year. He simply does not get his players ready to play a team style, esp defense. To run his style, you need fast dmen, not physical and slow. We have one puck moving dman and he is 37. Part of this falls on Homer and how Snider wants to win, but Lavy needs to adjust to what he has. It's like we have two different teams out there. I get the shortened season, but every team is on an even playing field. Lavy (and his style) is getting exposed right now.— dave1walsh
- At least the Rags are getting pummeled by the Pens. Lundy gives up 4 softies and gets yanked/benched in the 2nd period. Once again, the Rags are overhyped by the league, ESPN, etc.....what else is new?— TheIceDog
- same old flyers fans, if they win their awesome, if they lose they suck..how about the stupid reaction fans just go away, a hockey fan that knows the game can see that poor special teams did them in, they could easily be 2 and 0, and with the exception of the first periods outplayed both teams five on five. the power play and pk will improve, no training camp remember?— deatheater
- not a surprise icedog...typically pens beat rangers, rangers beat flyers, flyers beat pens— philly thug
- In contrast to IceDog's comments, the Flyers do in fact cultivate a winning organization. The Flyers enjoy the 2nd highest winning percentage in the league, only behind the Habs. The Flyers are perennial competitors and truly rarely miss the playoffs (5 straight years in the early 90's noted). Since 1975 they have made it to the Stanley Cup final 6 times, again only behind the Habs. They have just been unable to close the deal, although they really should have done so in 2010. I for one love the tough hockey philosophy - it is part of what defines the Flyers. Unfortunately, one of the consequences of the 'Bully" style is that there is an undoubted bias against the Flyers by many in the League, including some referees. That makes it so much sweeter when the Boys succeed. I look forward to the day when Giroux will hoist the Cup.— OrangeFury
The good news is that the Flyers will be off the front sports page once the regular season is over at the end of April. They'll be going home and baseball will be where it belongs....the central focus of the sports section.- Seems to me Bryz is a mistake, problem is how at this stage of the game do you rectify it? You can't unload him with his contract unless you eat it. Looks like like a lost shortened season for the Flyers.— mcgill
- thank you orange fury, at least someone knows this sport and our history,,,,,and i'd like to add the flyers were screwed in 80, (leon stikle call) and would have won cups in 85 and 87 if they did not have to play a team sporting at least five hall of fame players.— deatheater
- anyone blaming Bryz or the officials knows less than nothing about hockey. zero.— bobbyd24
- So officials did not blow two legit goals by the Flyers? Not saying our PK is awesome but come on. Two brutal calls by refs resulted no goals. It'a not even a bad penalty call.
I wonder wth do you YOU about hockey?— Nitroglycerin - Send Wellwood to the Phantoms, and bring up Tye McGinn for some greasy goals and help out Simmonds
— olneyboy - I skipped all the BS to say this, Flyers lost, plain and simple. Yeah 2 bad calls today, but you know what, we had our chances. We need Danny B back in there. As far as the skate "kick" goal for Buff, the refs made right call, he was stopping. Tired of peoples excuses on here and giving up just because we are 0-2 in 2 days. Give em a break, let them play and we will see what everybodys saying later. GO FLYERS— kmilke22
- Breeze-Goal-Ov is not the answer.— TheIceDog
