For Flyers, third-period blues - again
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
For Flyers, third-period blues — again
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
WASHINGTON _ The big news Friday was that the Flyers lost another key player (see story), Wayne Simmonds, to an injury.
But lost in the shuffle of their 3-2 defeat to Washington was the fact that they were outplayed in the third period.
That shouldn’t happen when you are facing a team playing its second game in as many nights.
The Flyers were well-rested, having had Thursday off.
No matter. The Caps (2-5-1), one of the league’s worst teams this year, snapped a 1-1 tie with two goals early in the third period, then held off a late Flyers push.
The Flyers are 2-6, their worst eight-game start since they were 1-6-1 in 2006-07.
We just weren’t good enough, especially in the third period,” said Brayden Schenn, who scored his first goal of the season midway through the last period, trimming the deficit to 3-2. “It’s 1-1 and you have to learn how to win those hockey games.”
In their first eight games, the Flyers have been outscored in the third period, 22-15.
*****
Look for the Caps’ John Erskine to get at least a two-game suspension for his hit on Simmonds. He elbowed him to the nose and drew blood. Inexplicably, he didn’t receive a penalty.
Simmonds didn’t return after leaving late in the first period. He is questionable for Saturday.
Even though there wasn't a penalty whistled, Erskine will face a 2 p.m. hearing Saturday and figures to get suspended. Brayden Schenn was not penalized for a hit in New Jersey recently but was still given a one-game suspension by the NHL.
****
Without Simmonds, Schenn briefly moved to the top line with Claude Giroux and Danny Briere. A short time later, Tye McGinn replaced Schenn on that unit and helped set up the game's first goal.
Breakaways. The Caps blocked 23 shots _ 12 more than the Flyers……Kurtis Foster had an assist and seven shots (four on net)……The Flyers’ PP is 2 for 30 in their six losses and 3 for 10 in their two wins.
Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BoadStBull.
- For crying out loud, snipes. Couturier is barely 20 yrs old, in just his second season, jumping into a bastardized season and onto the 2nd line with zero training camp. Lighten up already.
— icarus 
Let me chime in with my nrilliant coaching tips since you other geniuses have chipped in with yours:
They need to win more games.
They need to score more goals.
They need to play better defense first (sorry if that one was taken already)
They need to avoid injuries.
All the talent is there if they would only play better and if all the bums down on the Phantoms would come up and play like Malkin, Crosby, Kovy, Ovy and Weber.— schnitzelboy- Fire Paul Holmgren.
He trades his captain and leading goal scorer who both win a Cup last year, his team gets ousted in a poor second round showing in the playoffs, he needed a true #1 defenseman this offseason and settled for Luke Schenn(who by the way is trash-how about that give away last night after the face off that lead to a break away?) and his team has started 2-6, and he over spent on Bryzgalov. And this year’s team clearly isn’t going to compete in the East and are not even close to the same level as NYR, Pitt and NJ. I don't know the full story of why they got rid of Richards and Carter, but when you trade your captain, who was a beast in the playoffs and always did all the little things right, and your leading goal scorer for the past 4-5 years, you better have a solution. And he doesn't. Basically in 2013 so far, our D stinks, we can't score, we can't win battles along the boards and nobody but Grioux can win a face off.
Signed-38 years with out a Stanley Cup.
— Moose67 - It's sad when your 80 year old owner has scored more times than his hockey team.— Ouwachon
- To go from 2 wins shy of winning the Cup in 2010 to this in less than 3 years? This team is horrible and unwatchable. Nice job Homer!— BobbyD
- Hard to believe the flyers were second in the league in goals last season. Their O looks brutal.— beefbre
- They made offers to Weber, Suter and Parise. They supposedly were interested in Nash. That tells you that they knew last yerar's team wasn't good enough. They also lost Jagr. So what was plan B? Nothing? What was done to upgrade this team in the off season? Luke Schenn? He couldn't get on the ice for one of the worst teams in the league. Gervais? Please! Curtis Foster? Who's he? And Brayden Schenn, I know he's young but I just don't see anything goog from this guy. We're looking at a loooooong season.— egret234
- Mr negative...Flyerfan4 life....and all your other names....everyone knows yu are a joke wht do you insists on personal attacks...everyone make statements and predictions some are right some are wrong...who would have predicted that Giroux would have played so poorly this year....stay away from any sharp instruments today you sound a bit aggitated by last nights loss.....— flyers1000
- — flyers1000 or ToyotaDealer and whatever other names you have on here...No other Philly.com poster has said more that was wrong and then tried to weasel out by saying he didn't "guarantee" his moronic predictions, then calls other posters hypocrites...Stay away from more Philly.com predictions, you won't make yourself look like a fool again or have to weasel out more stupid, incorrect predictions....
- Hope mgt doesn't delude itself into thinking that this team can have any chance at making a Cup run "with a few moves" at the trade deadline. The only thought process that should be going on is "we are in build, not rebuild," mode. Briere must be traded at the deadline...sell his stock as a great playoff performer and we could get a 1st rd pick or a young top 6 forward...maybe. Timonen should be dealt to preserve his dignity and give him a chance to win a cup. Package those two, and we might be able to get a legit top 4 dman or top 6 forward plus a pick. We need to restock and pray we get a top 5 pick in the draft lottery. Coach needs to go....he is an awful tactician. This is the last time I refer to Pete as coach as he doesn't deserve the title. At least Homer is aggressive, albeit hastily, but trade rumors at this point are more interesting, and more positive, than watching this team on the ice.
- You are so, so, so spot on. I wrote a comment last night (that didn't post for some reason), calling for Timo to be traded. Seems clear from his comments that he is hanging 'em up after this year, and the guy deserves to go out with a chance at the Cup. Plus, he is one of the few veteran type players the Flyers would actually consider trading AND that could bring back some value (just like Forsberg to Preds several years back).
I'm ready to see Pete on the street instead of at the rink. It's time. - The "Pete To The Street" referendum has officially begun!! I so wished I lived in Philly so I could bring a poster to tonight's game. Love it, snipes!
- Dangler9 is dead on.They let Jagre walk too,not that he is a dynamic scorer anymore but he can still move the puck well through center ice.Schenn and Voracek might be great trade bait,and if the Flyers are in the cellar all season,I would'nt object to trading Briere and Timmonen at the deadline.The draft coming up is pretty deep.— whilly
- The flyers are playing with no or little heart. They are having trouble making crisp passes as well. Can not break out with out passing. Its going to be a long year....If I was Homer I would blow this team up like im playing NHL 13 GM mode!— z18b
- I just checked....the puck is still in the Flyers zone and they cant get it out.— scootch
