VOORHEES, N.J. – Only one time after a regulation loss this season have the Flyers failed to respond with at least a point in the next game.
This type of situation will be facing the team again on Monday night after Saturday night’s somewhat embarrassing 7-2 loss to Tampa Bay.
Fortunately for the Flyers, the rematch will be against the same Lightning squad which lit up the Xfinity Mobile Arena a day ago.
Sunday’s practice at the Flyers Training Center looked and sounded fairly animated and for good reason.
“It was one of those games where you’ve got to flush it down and move on as quick as possible,” captain Sean Couturier said. “It wasn’t pretty. Like we did all year, we responded pretty well so that’s what we have to do.”
The Flyers went through the usual video session to break down what went right and what went wrong. There was plenty of footage reviewing some of the things the Flyers need to work on.
Philadelphia has suffered back-to-back regulation-time losses once this year so Monday night’s game should be a source of pride.
“That’s a hell of a stat after a loss,” Tocchet said. “We gave them some information and we’ll see if it works tomorrow. We can hang our hat on something like that.
“I’ll think you will see much better decision-making. I’m not sure when (Nikita) Kucherov (who had two goals/four points on Saturday) is on the ice, you want to make a high-risk, low-percentage play. That’s the maturity of a young group.”
Nick Seeler said the video sessions were productive. He expects a much more competitive game on Monday.
“The score probably doesn’t reflect some of the good minutes we played,” said Seeler, mindful it was still a one-goal game until well into the second period. “We need to learn from the little details, what we need to fix.
“They’re a really good hockey team. We have to have a structured 60 minutes, not get loose and turn pucks over. Stay above their guys. So I think there’s absolutely motivation for tomorrow.”
>Konecny re-injured?
Travis Konecny, who missed Saturday night’s game due to injury, went out to practice on Sunday and got dinged right at the start.
“He got a shot off his knee,” Tocchet said. “I think it was the first drill. Kind of a nerve thing. Hopefully it wakes up a little bit. Kind of a dead leg type of thing. So we’ll see about tomorrow.”
The Flyers have had their share of injuries of late. Jamie Drysdale and Bobby Brink were recently banged up. Both skated on Sunday. Drysdale is on IR and will not be elgible to play in Monday’s game.
Tocchet said he believes Brink will be ready to play.
“It seems like injuries come in bunches,” Tocchet said. “Like they don’t come every once in a while. You get like one, two, three, four in a row. So maybe it’s our turn now.”
>Ersson humbled
Goaltender Sam Ersson was in goal for all seven Tampa scores. It was the first time the Flyers had allowed more than five goals in a game this season.
“To me, it’s the mental part. I talked to him,” Tocchet said. “For me, you just have to roll up your sleeves and grind away. We all go through our ups and downs. He needs a support group and we’re here to support him.
“He’s an accountability guy. But we’re all embarrassed. It’s how you react. He’s a character guy. When his number gets called, he’ll be ready to go.”
>Turnaround game for Hathaway?
Garnet Hathaway might have played his best game of the season on Saturday night. He scored his first goal (and first point) of the season, had a fight and played with a scrappy attitude most of the game.
Tocchet said he’s had some talks with the player and the message seemed to be there’s no more time to waste. He has to be a productive player in order to make a significant contribution.
“Just from the conversations we’ve had, what he was saying to me was he’s a pro,” Tocchet said. “He said ‘I can’t waste any time. I have to practice with the coaches, watch video.’ If he’s not playing, he’s on the ice working hard.”
When his game is up to speed, Hathaway can be a valuable fourth-liner. An early fight can get the crowd and the bench into it. That was something the Flyers missed when he sat out about two weeks. But he stayed patient.
“I respect that a lot,” Tocchet said. “He wasn’t pouting. I told him ‘I hope you’re mad that you’re not playing.’ He said, ‘I can’t waste my time. When I get to the rink, I have to make sure I put good time in.’
“I love guys like that. You can see he’s putting the work in.”
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