Flyers' struggles continue in loss

January 29, 2013

Box Score (from Flyers.NHL.com)

Danny Briere had 10 shots in Tuesday night's loss. The Flyers totaled 27 for the game.

Could things have gotten any worse for the Flyers after a dismal 5-1 loss to Tampa Bay?

Unfortunately, yes.

With the exception of a few players, the Flyers carried over their phoned-in performance from Tampa Bay into Tuesday night's 2-1 loss to the New York Rangers.


The Flyers' special teams were the primary reason for the loss yet again.

Philadelphia went 1-for-6 on the power play, and 1-for-2 on the penalty kill.

In the second period, down 1-0 thanks to a goal by New York's Michael Del Zotto (2, 1:57) in the first, the Flyers were given a golden opportunity.

The Rangers' Brad Richards was called for holding, putting the Flyers on the power play. 43 seconds later, Derek Stephan was sent to the box for a delay of game penalty when he shot the puck over the boards in an attempt to clear.

The Flyers had a 5-on-3 advantage. It was the perfect time for them to shift momentum in their favor with a goal.

But the Flyers wasted the opportunity yet again. The Rangers killed the 2-man advantage, then turned around and scored on their own power play.

Ryan Callahan scored (2,11:31) the power play goal after Max Talbot was sent to the penalty box for tripping.

Talbot and Callahan fought in the third period, which ended with Callahan being pulled down to the ice by his left shoulder. The fight stopped when Callahan was lying on the ground clutching his arm in pain.


Callahan left the game and did not return.

Kimmo Timonen (1, 7:09) scored the lone Flyers goal on a 4-on-3 power play in the third period. He fired a wrist shot by the Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist to put the Flyers within one.


Ilya Bryzgalov played an excellent game in net despite the two goals allowed. Bryzgalov saved 26 of the Rangers' 28 shots, keeping the Flyers in the game the entire time.

Danny Briere generated many of the Flyers' scoring chances. He had 10 shots, but just wasn't able to put one in. The team had 27 shots total.

The Flyers (2-5-0) will have two days off before they play the Washington Capitals (1-4-1) on the road this Friday.

Fans can only hope that the team gets their act together over the next couple days.

(Image from Flyers.NHL.com and Getty Images)