Flyers start 0-2 for first time since '08
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Flyers start 0-2 for first time since '08
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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Got robbed on two (2) goals today, but still you cannot expect to win when your best player is 18 year old Scott Laughton who is here on a five (5) day trial. At this point I wolld put him on the same line as Giroux and move Schenn to checking line. Anybody seen Matt Read?— rockinrob- Fyers wont make the playoffs.— donjuango
- Certainly not with Bryzgaloot in net! — BEMiller
- 24 hours of hockey and you wimps throw up the white flag? — hipdaddy
- Very slow defense, average at best goalie, and no offense = long season— shawnmac
- Naaah!
To be average one must be better than half the rest. No way that Bryzgaloot is better than half the NHL goalies!
GOOD GRIEF!— BEMiller - Same old Flyers just not enough talent to win!!
Bryz just ok two games two better goalies
— tchamp3 - Bryzgalov=90 million dollar bust=fraud— donjuango
- Naaah!
Bryzgaloot is an $89M bust. He's worth one million over ten years!
GOOD GRIEF!— BEMiller - Disgraceful officiating. Just flat out freaking bad. Looked like NFL replacements refs out there.
Yes, Flyers got to be better specially on PK.— Nitroglycerin - So, let's see.
If you GET BEAT it's the refs?
GOOD GRIEF!
What a deficient whine!— BEMiller - You said it BE! It's never the fact the Flyers got worked. It's ALWAYS the officiating. The Flyers do more diving and whining than any team, have Hartnell who either hits from behind or after the whistle, but the refs are bias against them.
— CentralPAman - Yo BEMiller, what's your problem? Get lost. — Vituperator
