The Philadelphia Flyers lost their second straight game Friday night at the Wells Fargo Center. Losing to the Montreal Canadiens 5-2.
Momentum has sure plagued this Flyers team this year in all aspects. Whether harshening it, flipping it, or just controlling it. None of which the Flyers seem be able to do.
In Edmonton on Tuesday, the Flyers led 2-1 heading into the 3rd period. But, just 6-minutes into the period, an Olle Lycksell penalty would completely flip the scrip.
Edmonton would go on to score three goals in the final 14-minutes and beat the Flyers 4-2.
Tonight, after a lack luster start by both the Flyers and Montreal Canadiens, it would be Olle Lycksell again at the rout of the Flyers problem.
Lycksell would be whistled for a slashing penalty with 12:08 left in the 1st period. Thereafter, the Canadiens would outshoot the Flyers 11-3 during the reminder of the period. Scoring twice to take a 2-0 lead into the 1st intermission.
In the 2nd period, Wade Allison would try to flip the momentum. Taking action after a so-so hit on Scott Laughton.
Allison would fight Alex Belzile in a pretty even tussle. But, Allison would be assessed an instigator penalty giving the Canadiens a power-play.
On the power-play, it would take the Canadiens just 19-seconds to score. Much to the help of Ivan Provorov’s stick redirecting a shot past his own netminder.
Momentum is hard to come by in the NHL. Especially when you allow an opposing team – one that is worse than you in the standings – to come into your building and dominate you at every level.
What Did Tortorella Say About Situational Awareness?
John Tortorella has been not shy to point out some glaring issues about his team. Tortorella has also played coy a lot as well.
But, one thing that makes Tortorella blood boil is momentum and understanding what he calls “situational awareness.”
With 3.7 seconds left in the 1st period, the Flyers just forgot about everything that Tortorella preaches. Overloading the corner, having no sense of time, and oh yeah… leaving a guy wide open in-front.
If the effort after the Olle Lycksell penalty earlier in the period didn’t make his blood boil, that sure did.
Flyers 4-8-3 In Last 15-Games
After being one of the hotter teams out of the Christmas break, the Flyers have quickly came back to reality. Tonight, losing for the sixth time in their last seven games.
Over their last 15-games, the Flyers are just 4-8-3.
Result : Flyers 2 – Canadiens 5 , LOSS
Record : 23 – 27 – 10
Next Game : Saturday 2/25 , New Jersey Devils , Newark NJ , 7:00pm
PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Nwachukwu – Getty Images
