Fowl Play: Flyers Roughed Up by Ducks, 6-2

(Kate Frese/SB Nation)

By Rob Riches, Sports Talk Philly staff 

Though the Flyers got off to a bit of a sluggish start, it looked like they would  be able to close out their five-game homestand with two points. What followed was arguably one of their worst-played periods of the (young) year, and despite good shot totals, there was no way they'd keep up with Anaheim.

The Flyers have had their share of convincing wins, but Tuesday's game brought them back to the other side of that in a 6-2 loss to the Ducks.

The Ducks (4-3-1) took the lead in the second period on three goals from Brandon Montour, Nick Ritchie and Rickard Rakell. Though the Flyers put up 25 shots over the course of two periods and generated chances, the Ducks found ways to carve up Brian Elliott — something they've done with ease over his career.

In his return to the lineup, Ryan Getzlaf put the Ducks on the board yet again in the third, netting his first of the season and earning his second of two points in the game. Ondrej Kase scored on a penalty shot later in the period for his second of the game (also scoring in the first), padding the lead with the first multi-goal game of his career.

One positive for the Flyers (5-4-0), though, was a two-goal game from Sean Couturier. He opened the scoring in the first and tallied again in the third, earning the 200th point of his career. Jakub Voracek chipped in a pair of assists, claiming the 500th point of his career as well.

Elliott, naturally, found himself roughed up yet again, making 19 saves on 25 shots — the second time he's allowed six goals as a Flyer. John Gibson countered with 31 saves on 33 shots.

The Flyers were also handed a plethora of chances all night, between faceoff wins, possession and six power plays. They failed to make the most of any of those opportunities, though. Particularly staggering is the 0-for-6 power play result — while power-play goals can be tougher to come by, it's unacceptable for any top-10 power play unit.

Though the Orange and Black had several days of rest, they still looked sluggish. Anaheim had no problem taking advantage of that, opening the first of a four-game road trip in ideal fashion.

The Flyers next take the road, visiting the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.

Box Score

Scoring Summary

1st Period

• PHI Sean Couturier (5) (Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek) 8:51
• ANA Ondrej Kase (2) (Derek Grant) 18:22

2nd Period

• ANA Brandon Montour (3) (Kalle Kossila, Francois Beauchemin) 5:40
• ANA Nick Ritchie (1) PP (Hampus Lindholm, Kevin Bieksa) 10:03
• ANA Rickard Rakell (3) (Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry) 18:17

3rd Period

• ANA Ryan Getzlaf (1) (Perry) 3:59
• PHI Sean Couturier (6) (Travis Sanheim, Voracek) 11:54
• ANA Kase (3) Penalty Shot 15:49

Game Statistics