Panthers rip Flyers, 7-1

SUNRISE, Fla. - Two nights after an encouraging opener in which they salvaged a point against the defending Eastern Conference champions, the Flyers were overmatched and unready from the outset Saturday.

Goalie Steve Mason, in what he called the worst start of his eight-year career, allowed four goals in the first 6 minutes, 46 seconds as the Flyers fell to the Florida Panthers, 7-1, before a sellout crowd at the BB&T Center.

"There's nobody to put this game on except myself," Mason said, "and I take full responsibility for it. When your starting goaltender performs like that, it puts everybody behind the eight-ball right away."

Afterward, the Flyers held a players-only meeting.

"It wasn't necessarily about the score; it was about how we played," Jake Voracek said.

"You have to turn the page, and we play those guys on Monday - and it's a whole new game," said defenseman Mark Streit, who scored the Flyers' lone goal.

Ageless former Flyer Jaromir Jagr, 43, a fitness addict who was the only player skating on the ice two hours before the game, scored two goals for the Panthers, giving him 724 in his career, fifth in NHL history. Florida scored 1:23 into the first period, 33 seconds into the second period, and 41 seconds into the third.

Reilly Smith also had two goals, both on the power play, and 22-year-old center Vincent Trocheck had a career-high four points, including three assists.

"It should leave a pretty sour taste for everybody," said rookie coach Dave Hakstol, who is still looking for his first win.

Oddly, the Flyers outshot the Panthers, 39-30.

The Flyers will have a rematch with Florida in their home opener Monday. In franchise history, the Flyers are 26-15-6 in home openers.

Mason allowed a juicy rebound that led to one goal and committed a turnover that led to another. The defense permitted the Panthers to skate in front freely, and it produced the stunning 4-0 start that included power-play goals from Nick Bjugstad and Smith 51 seconds apart.

Showing little discipline, the Flyers committed nine penalties for 23 minutes. Florida's power play went 3 for 7.

After a Mason turnover led to Jussi Jokinen's goal with 13:14 left in the first, the 27-year-old goalie was replaced by Michal Neuvirth, who made his Flyers debut. Mason allowed four goals on eight shots.

There would be no miracle comeback by the Flyers. Just another poor start for a franchise that has specialized in them in recent years. The Flyers started 0-2-2 last year, 1-7 in 2013-14, and 2-6 in the strike-shortened 2013 season.

scarchidi@phillynews.com

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