The New Jersey Devils took care of business early to win in their home opener against the orange and black. Marty Brodeur played well, posting his 120th career shutout.
The Flyers have fallen to 0 and 3 for the third time in franchise history. The last time that the Flyers lost their first three games in regulation was during the 1994-1995 season. Opposing teams have scored first in all three games this season, with the Flyers not scoring once in the first or third periods all year.
The New Jersey Devils started the scoring early at 1:07 into the game with a goal from Travis Zajac . The other two New Jersey goals occurred during special teams play. Snarly forward David Clarkson scored from a shot that went off of Ruslan Fedotenko's skate and into the net on the power play. Ilya Kovalchuk scored a beautiful penalty shot that he put top shelf over Ilya Bryzgalov while shorthanded.
Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov should not fully be blamed for Philadelphia's early struggles. He kept the score close enough for the Flyers to bounce back into the game. Kovalchuk's penalty shot was a goal that many elite goaltenders would not have been able to stop. Turnovers and penalties helped give the Devils the advantage.
The main problems for the Flyers have come on their special teams play. They went 0 for 6 on the powerplay and gave the Devils seven power play chances, two of which were two man advantages. The Flyers have struggled scoring on the powerplay so far this season. They are a staggering 1 for 15 in this catergory.
Daniel Briere's goal scoring has definitely been missed so far this season. The Flyers could definitely use him on their power play units. Tye McGinn made his first NHL start in place of the injured Zac Rinaldo. Defenseman Bruno Gervais made his Flyers debut as well, stepping in for Kurtis Foster.
Captain Claude Giroux did not look so good tonight. Turnovers and bad passes were the only things that made him notable against the Devils. He also took two minor penalties, one of which was a penalty for "abuse of the officials" after saying something to the referees when he was pushed offsides.
Sloppy play and lack of scoring hurt the Flyers in tonight's crucial game. Every point in the standings counts in this shortened 48 game season. So far the Flyers have none.
The early schedule does not get easier for the Flyers as they play their next game at the Wells Fargo Center against the New York Rangers.
Follow Bill on Twitter @Bassist718
