Flyers Late Push Not Enough in Loss to Panthers

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Once again, it was too little too late for the Flyers.

The Flyers managed two third-period goals to make a game of things again, but their comeback effort came far too late in a 3-2 loss to the Florida Panthers on Thursday night to open a back-to-back in Florida.

The Flyers started the game off with two quick penalties, including a questionable call on Brian Elliott for tripping, that forced them to kill a 5-on-3 for 1:21 early. They successfully did, but that wouldn't prevent them from allowing the first goal of the game.

A rather innocent looking shot by Jared McCann from the slot beat Elliott clean to give Florida the lead at 6:43 of the first period.

The Panthers never looked back from there. Both teams were held off the board for the rest of the first period, but the Panthers had the momentum in the period.

In the second, the Flyers had a chance to tie the game that turned into a Florida chance quickly. With Shayne Gostisbehere up in the zone, Claude Giroux failed to keep the puck at the blue line. That turned into a turnover and a 2-on-1 for the Panthers, with Colton Sceviour centering for Derek MacKenzie, who scored his first goal of the season shorthanded to make it 2-0.

Just under five minutes later, Jonathan Huberdeau fired a shot that hit Radko Gudas and sailed over Elliott's right shoulder to make it 3-0 Florida.

After two period, the Panthers were leading in shots, 19-15.

The Flyers struggled to get much going in the third as well, but did get on the board with 7:32 to play.

Off a rush, some quick passing got the puck to Scott Laughton, who beat James Reimer for the first time in the game to make it 3-1.

The Flyers pulled the goalie with over three minutes left in the game and managed to cut the lead to one with 2:02 to play. A point shot by Gostisbehere was deflected by Sean Couturier and in to make it a one-goal game.

But the Flyers rally was halted from there, as Reimer made a couple key saves in the final minute.

Reimer finished with 29 saves in the win. Elliott had 24 saves in the loss.

The Flyers were 0-for-4 on the power play.

The Flyers dropped their fourth game in the last five to follow up a six-game winning streak. 

Box Score

Scoring Summary

1st Period

• FLA Jared McCann (5) (Nick Bjugstad, Mike Matheson) 6:43

2nd Period

• FLA Derek MacKenzie (1) SH (Colton Sceviour) 9:19
• FLA Jonathan Huberdeau (13) (Bjugstad, Aleksander Barkov) 13:52

3rd Period

• PHI Scott Laughton (6) (Travis Konecny, Michael Raffl) 12:28
• PHI Sean Couturier (17) (Shayne Gostisbehere, Claude Giroux) 17:58

Game Statistics