They nearly pulled off an unlikely comeback shootout win for a second straight game.
But unlike Thursday night’s 2-1 victory at Tampa Bay, the Flyers couldn’t seal the deal in a game at Florida on Saturday night.
The Flyers fell behind by scores of 2-1 and 3-2 but rallied each time to force overtime and then the shootout to earn at least one point.
Only this time the Panthers got a shootout goal from Evan Rodriques against goaltender Ivan Fedotov and the Flyers lost the game, 4-3.
Garnet Hathaway’s goal off a backhand shot at 9:47 of the third period forced the game to overtime and eventually the shootout.
A goal by Joel Farabee gave the Flyers a 1-0 lead at 4:57 of the first period. His shot eluded goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.
The Panthers went ahead in the second period on goals by Nate Schmidt at 5:32 and Dmitry Kulikov at 8:40.
Philadelphia pulled even on a goal by Anthony Richard at 13:00, but the Panthers went ahead, 3-2, when Sam Bennett scored at 14:56.
Hathaway gave the Flyers at least a point when he finished off a play by Scott Laughton.
The Flyers finished the three-game road trip with a 1-1-1 record.
>Michkov sits again
Matvei Michkov sat for a second straight game. The Russian rookie was a healthy scratch for the Tampa game. Richard made his second straight start against the Panthers.
>Shoot first, ask questions later
The Flyers managed to get 31 shots on net at Tampa, although three were taken in overtime before the outcome was decided by a shootout in Philadelphia’s victory.
That’s the highest total since the second game of the season when the team initiated 40 in a 6-3 loss at Calgary. The only other time the Flyers had exceeded 30 shots was the 31 delivered in an opening night win at Vancouver until Saturday night when they posted 38 against Florida.
Overall, heading into the Florida game, the Flyers had been outshot by a 270-233 margin in the second period. And they had been outscored, 22-8, in middle frames.
Possible solutions?
“All I want with this team right now is to be oonsistently on our toes,” coach John Tortorella said at Saturday morning’s skate. “I want us to take some chances. I want us to close out even if you’re over-aggressive and give up an odd-man rush. I’d rather have it that way than us be in-between. I still think there are some players that are a little bit too safe. It’s our mindset. I want us to think aggressively.”
>Game of numbers
At the morning skate, Tortorella discussed the importance of getting manpower up ice quicker and with better numbers.
The word “connectivity” keeps popping up in talks about the best ways to execute on offense.
“In both the offensive and neutral zones I believe we’re closer to the puck,” the coach said. “I still think within our transition we need to anticipate a little bit better of supporting plays. We can stretch so we can back them off. One of the things we need to do is back teams off so we have some room to play with. That comes with numbers. It’s inconsistent but getting better.”
>Andrae earning ice time
Rookie defenseman Emil Andrae, a recent callup to help fill in for the injured Cam York, continues to hold his own and appears to be in Tortorella’s favor.
Although Andrae struggled a bit in Tuesday night’s 6-4 loss at Carolina, he appeared to bounce back well at Tampa.
“That’s what I like about him,” Tortorella said. “I don’t think things affect him. He doesn’t let a bad shift turn into two or three bad shifts or a struggle in a game turn into two or three games. He has a little bit of that swagger that allows him to play the way he plays. He’s made some good offensive plays.
“The thing that’s been impressive is he’s been able to jump into holes without pucks to create offense. He’s been a surprise for us as far as when he’s come up – when ‘Yorkie’ comes in, who knows what goes on with our lineup.”
>Tippett talk
After a somewhat difficult start to his season, Owen Tippett came up big time the Lightning game.
He scored the tying goal with four minutes and change left in the encounter, then scored the clinching goal in the shootout.
This is the first game the Flyers played this season without Michkov in the lineup. Maybe some of the Flyers took it upon themselves to try to take on more of the offensive production.
In the skirmish with the Lightning, the Flyers made a more concerted effort to drive to the net and create more offense down low. Although that push didn’t result in too much in the way of results, it might help down the road.
“Yeah, you know, I think it’s just the second and third efforts,” said Tippett. “Sticking with plays a little longer. Making sure there are more guys in front. I think that’s just the way things are going right now.”
>Short shots
York took part in Saturday’s morning skate, a sign he’s getting close to a return to action after going on IR with an injury. . .The Flyers head home for a Monday game against the San Jose Sharks.
