The Philadelphia Flyers dropped their 7th straight game Monday night at the Wells Fargo Center. Losing to the Calgary Flames 5-2.
Head coach John Tortorella has been pleased with the Flyers effort of late. Even though the team has lost now seven straight games.
One player that Tortorella has been highly critical of is Kevin Hayes, who was demoted to the third line in Montreal on Saturday.
Hayes, who responded to the demotion with a great game in Montreal, ended the night with an important goal in the 3rd period.
After morning skate, Hayes was once again finding himself being criticized by his head coach. Hayes was moved to wing, alongside Noah Cates & Zack MacEwen, for tonight’s game.
John Tortorella mentioned that the decision was based off defense. Stating that Noah Cates is more responsible defensively.
One bad habit that Hayes continues to fall back to is his center coverage responsibilities. Something that sees Hayes leaving the zone too early before the Flyers have full control of the puck.
But, this habit doesn’t just fall on Hayes’s shoulders. Tonight, his team-mates failed coverage responsibilities costed the Flyers two goals.
Max Willman made a bad judgment call on the Flames first goal. Willman was covering the far point for Tony DeAngelo, who was caught against the boards.
Joel Farabee got caught on the Flames second goal. Farabee was the trailing forward after Tony DeAngelo joined the rush. Instead, Farabee rolled out in the zone after being poke-checked.
The little details is something that John Tortorella has been trying to hammer home to his team since Day1 of training camp. Tonight, two mental mistakes costed the Flyers two critical goals.
Tanner Laczynski Gets 1st Career NHL Goal
Last Monday, the Flyers sent Tanner Laczynski to the Phantoms. It was a move to activate Patrick Brown and get Laczynski more playing time.
With Scott Laughton leaving Saturday’s game vs the Montreal Canadiens with an upper-body injury, the Flyers needed another forward.
To replace Laughton, the Flyers recalled Laczynski from the Phantoms.
In his first game back, Laczynski scored his first career goal in the 1st period. Redirecting a Kevin Hayes shot on net.
Scott Laughton & Travis Konecny Out With Injuries
Scott Laughton and Travis Konecny are the latest Flyers to miss time with injuries. Both missed tonight’s game with upper-body injuries.
Konecny, who left Thursday’s game in Boston, is out with an injury to his right hand. This was the second straight game that Konecny missed.
Laughton, who left Saturday’s game in Montreal, is out with an upper-body injury. It is believed to be a head injury.
GM Chuck Fletcher will provide updates on both tomorrow.
Result : Flames 5 – Flyers 2 , LOSS
Record : 7 – 8 – 4
Next Game : Wednesday 11/23 , Washington Captials , Washington DC , 7:30pm
PHOTO CREDIT: Mitchell Leff – Getty Images
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