Dubynk, Wild Stymie Flyers in Another Shutout Loss

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

It's becoming a trend. Devan Dubnyk became the latest goaltender to deal a shutout against the Flyers.

Dubynk stopped all 32 shots the Flyers took, while Jason Zucker remained hot to score the only goal of the game in a 1-0 shutout loss for the Flyers to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night at Wells Fargo Center, marking the fourth time this season the Flyers have been handed a shutout loss.

The first period saw limited stoppages, as the two teams skated to a scoreless 20 minutes. Play was sloppy early, as both teams struggled to complete passes and generate offense.

The Flyers had an early power play less than two minutes into the game, but it was the Wild with the best chance during that man advantage. A Claude Giroux turnover sent Mikko Koivu in on a breakaway. Koivu appeared to have Brian Elliott down and out, but Elliott managed to stay with the play and use his stick to make the save out of mid-air.

The Flyers generated more chances later in the period and finished the opening frame with a 12-5 advantage in shots.

Both teams remained scoreless after the second period as well. This 20 minutes started off slow as well, but opened up down the stretch.

The Wild had a couple of power play chances early in the period, but didn't do much with either. Play opened up in the latter half of the period with good chances coming for both sides. Each team had a couple of chances from point-blank range, but both goalies stood tall to keep the game scoreless.

The Flyers got a power play with 1:26 left in the period, but failed to score in the final minute of the period. Shots were 11-9 Flyers in the second period and totalled 23-14 through 40 minutes.

The Wild killed off the remainder of the Flyers power play and then scored moments later. A point shot by Mathew Dumba went wide and hit off the endboards. The bounce went right to Zucker out the other side, and he was able to tuck it home before Elliott could get across. It was Zucker's sixth goal in the last three games.

That was all Minnesota needed, as the Flyers struggled to solve the Wild defense for the remainder of the game. Even with Elliott off for the extra attacker, the Flyers couldn't get shots through on Dubnyk and time ran out.

Dubnyk stopped 32 shots for the shutout win, his second in as many games. Elliott was solid on his end, making 26 saves on 27 shots. 

The Flyers are back in action on Tuesday night as they hit the road to take on the Wild from Minnesota. Game time is 8 p.m.

Box Score

Scoring Summary

1st Period

• No Scoring

2nd Period

• No Scoring

3rd Period

• MIN Jason Zucker (9) (Matt Dumba, Nino Niederreiter) 1:08

Game Statistics