Flyers Hit Stone Wall Vs Maple Leafs

The Philadelphia Flyers were shutout, 3-0, by the Toronto Maple Leafs Wednesday night at the Wells Fargo Center.

Jack Campbell stopped all 36-Flyers-shots in the shutout win. It was the 2nd time this season the Flyers were shutout.

Carter Hart kept the Flyers in the game in the 1st period. Stopping 7-Maple Leafs-shots in the first 6-minutes of play.

Maple Leafs William Nylander’s controversial goal in the 2nd period changed the momentum in Toronto’s favor. More on the goal below.

In need of another big 3rd period, the Flyers failed to pull a rabbit out of their hat. Failing to generate any momentum.

Carter Hart finished with 30-saves on 33-shots in the losing effort.

You get a block, You get a block, You get a block

In the absence of Ryan Ellis, Justin Braun has been moved up to play alongside Ivan Provorov on the Flyers top defense unit. A move that continues to pay off for the Flyers.

No stranger to playing top line minutes, Braun hasn’t looked out of place at all. Forming chemistry quickly with Provorov to help stabilize the hole left by Ryan Ellis.

Tonight, was no different for Braun.

In his 8th game alongside Provorov, Braun finished with a game high 7-blocks. With 4-blocks coming in the 1st period.

Flyers Power-Play Struggles Continue

Even with a 6-2-2 start, the Flyers have had their struggles. No bigger struggle has been the power-play.

After finishing in the bottom third of the NHL last season, the Flyers made some offseason changes to help. Adding power-play specialist Keith Yandle.

However, after starting strong, the power-play is continuing to show the same struggles, with no improvements, as last season. Entering tonights game going 1 for their last 13.

In 4-opportunities tonight vs the Maple Leafs, the Flyers failed to score. Making the power-play 1 for their last 17 & 2 for their last 23.

Kick or No Kick?

With 8:49 left in the 2nd period, Maple Leafs forward William Nylander thought he scored a goal. Which would have given the Leafs a 1-0 lead.

However, referee Trevor Hanson immediately waived it off. Signaling Nylander kicked the puck in the net.

After reviewing the play, the call would be reversed and Toronto would take a 1-0 lead.

The puck deflected more off of Nylander’s skate rather than being kicked. The “kick” that referee Trevor Hanson saw, occurred after the puck was already off his skate.

Tough Road Ahead

Tonight marked game 1 of a tough 12-game stretch for the Flyers. A stretch that will be played in short time over the next 21-days.

During the stretch, the Flyers will play the elite of the NHL. Playing the top 3 teams in the Atlantic Division & the league leading Carolina Hurricanes twice, before finishing with a tough 3-game in 4-day stretch vs their Metro rivals.

While it did not start the way the Flyers wanted, they must have a quick reset. Especially with their first back-to-back of the stretch starting on Friday.

Last season, the Flyers failed to hit the reset button when trying to end streaks. Its game 11 & the Flyers are already being tested with hitting the reset button this season.

Result : Flyers 0 – Maple Leafs 3 , LOSS

Record :   6 – 3 – 2

Next Game : Friday 11/12 vs Carolina Hurricanes , Raleigh NC , 7:00pm

Photo Credit : Len Redkoles – Getty Images