Flyers Savaged by Hurricanes in Game 1, Concerns Validated
The Flyers looked no match for their opponents on Saturday night, as many expected.
Unknowingly or not, the Philadelphia Flyers walked into an ambush in Game 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night. Reaching Round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs is no small feat for the little-engine-that-could Flyers, but things only get harder with each round. The group looked spent by the end of the first round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins and were perhaps fortunate to leave Xfinity Mobile Arena as victors via Cam York's hail-mary goal from long range.
All three Hurricanes goals in Saturday night's 3-0 Game 1 loss were more than preventable, but as head coach Rick Tocchet told traveling media after the game, the Flyers looked "mentally unprepared" for the vicious Hurricanes. On Logan Stankoven's first goal, Matvei Michkov tried to beat the Hurricanes' pressure with a backhand pass to Travis Sanheim in his own zone. That got intercepted with ease, and the ensuing shot from the point was tipped for the goal.
The second goal was equally silly, as Michkov lunged at Jackson Blake in the neutral zone, despite having a 2-on-1 numbers advantage defending with Sanheim. Both Flyers were caught flat-footed, and Blake skated onwards to backhand past Dan Vladar, who should have made a comfortable save but failed to do so. Lastly, for the dagger, Stankoven converted on a steal by Seth Jarvis, who hounded Noah Juulsen down in his own zone to force a turnover.
Injured Key Flyers Forward Out Game 1 vs. Hurricanes The Philadelphia Flyers have lost Owen Tippett for Game 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes. Juulsen has never been known for his prowess with the puck, but it has become a glaring issue in recent games.