Frustration continues to mount for the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers played a very good first period, but couldn't get a bounce or finish. The Ottawa Senators got one such break late in the period to take the lead, and then the game began to slip away from Philadelphia.

This game wasn't so much about matchups, but was largely decided by making a few plays. The momentum initially turned from the Flyers after a very soft penalty call. The penalty broke the Flyers' pressure, and the Senators scored on a deflected point shot shortly after the penalty ended.

In the second period, the Senators would expand on their lead with two goals on odd-man rushes. Perhaps it was the frustration of a scoreless streak, but both rushes grew out of defensemen making low percentage pinches on loose pucks by the boards.

Once behind, the Flyers were far less dangerous, and Anderson had all the answers on any chances that did arise. Ultimately the Flyers were shut out for the second consecutive game, losing 4-0 to the Ottawa Senators.

Game Flow

Goals:

0 – 1. Zibanejad (Ceci, Hoffman). PHI on-ice: 24, 76, 78, 3, 55

0 – 2. Hoffman (Ryan). PHI on-ice: 17, 14, 24, 3, 15

0 – 3. Michalek (Smith, Lazar). PHI on-ice: 24, 76,  78, 22, 53

0 – 4. PPG, Turris (Ryan, Karlsson). PHI on-ice: 76, 78, 22, 55

Forwards

Scott Laughton got injured on his first shift, which caused more mixing and matching in the lines than usual. As stated above, this game didn't turn out to be about matchups, or certain lines performing. The Flyers controlled the first period, but after falling behind the game stabilized and the Flyers could not break through.

Of the few takeaways one can glean from the stats, Gagner played more minutes than usual. He missed almost the entire first period after a fighting major, but played nearly 10 minutes in the final two periods.  He might be a candidate for more ice time as the Flyers look for any offensive spark.

Another takeaway is a relatively poor game from Giroux.  He hit the post early in the second period, but the Senators took a 2-0 lead just moments after.  He was not as noticeable offensively once the Flyers were behind.

Defense

The possession numbers again look good for the defensemen, but not to much avail. A few key plays proved the Flyers undoing.

Gudas iced the puck unnecesarily, the Senators scored the game's first goal off the ensuing faceoff. Del Zotto and Gostisbehere got caught on poor pinches, leading to the second and third goals by the Senators.

Overall, the Flyers defense was okay, but no one is going to hold their head too high after another shutout loss.

Highlights

Marc Naples is a contributor to Flyerdelphia and Sports Talk Philly. Follow him on Twitter@SuperScrub47.