Flyers need to improve five on five
The Flyers' strong even-strength play helped fuel their recent 5-0-1 surge, but it has regressed dramatically in the last two games.
The Flyers' strong even-strength play helped fuel their recent 5-0-1 surge, but it has regressed dramatically in the last two games.
As a result, they will take a two-game losing streak into Saturday's matchup against the New York Islanders in Brooklyn.
"You have to be better in the five-on-five," winger Jake Voracek said after the Flyers squandered an early 2-0 lead and fell to Pittsburgh, 4-3, at the Consol Energy Center on Thursday. "But we can't hang our heads here."
The Flyers have been outscored at even-strength, 5-1, over their last two games - 3-1 by Toronto, and 2-0 by the Penguins.
During their 5-0-1 run, the Flyers' power play struggled, but they outscored opponents, 16-8, at even strength.
In their latest loss, the Flyers allowed 45 shots, their second-highest total of the season. They have allowed a total of 80 shots in their last two games.
"We just didn't close out cycles," coach Dave Hakstol said. "We have to do a little better job and stop the momentum."
The Flyers built a 2-0 first-period lead and looked like they were headed toward their ninth straight win against the Penguins, who rallied and scored three unanswered goals in the second period.
"We kind of sat back a little bit," captain Claude Giroux said.
The Flyers will try to rebound against the Islanders. They are 1-1-1 in the season's series, with the Flyers scoring a 4-0 home win Jan. 9 as Steve Mason collected the shutout and Matt Read had three points.
"We have to make sure we're ready to play and get points," said Voracek, mindful that the Flyers had fallen five points out of a playoff spot entering Friday's action.
The Flyers should be the fresher team Saturday. On Friday, they did not practice, and the Islanders played in Ottawa.
Snow discounts
Because of the snowstorm, the Flyers are discounting tickets to their next two home games, Monday against Boston and Feb. 2 against Montreal.
The club announced that the more snow that hits the area by noon on Sunday, the bigger the discounts. Many ticket prices could be sliced in half depending on the amount of snow that falls. For the discount list, go to www.PhiladelphiaFlyers.com.
Breakaways
The Flyers are hopeful that Sean Couturier can return to the lineup Saturday after missing Thursday's game with an undisclosed lower-body injury. Officially, he is listed as day to day. . . . Sam Gagner, who was promoted from the Phantoms, replaced Couturier on Thursday and, in his first game with the Flyers since Nov. 23, played 15 minutes, 24 seconds, drew a penalty that led to a power-play goal, was minus-1 and was 8 for 16 in the faceoff circle. "I thought he worked hard in both directions. Overall, I thought Sam did a pretty good job for us," Hakstol said.
Jaroslav Halak is 2-1 against the Flyers this season with a 2.59 goals-against average and .916 save percentage. . . . Michal Neuvirth is expected to start for the Flyers. He has not allowed a goal in 44 relief minutes against the Isles this season, and entering Friday he was second in the NHL with a .936 save percentage and tied for fifth with a 2.05 goals-against average.