The Flyers biggest problem last season was playing down to the competition. So when the 2-6-0 Buffalo Sabres came to town following a huge win against the New York Rangers, it seemed like it was time for the Flyers to prove they could rack up the points in the games they were supposed to win.
Only it didn't start that way, as the Flyers were out-played by the Sabres, but managed to force overtime with a late goal.
In overtime, the Flyers got caught on a chance and Zemgus Girgensons was waiting for the breakaway chance, beating Steve Mason to give the Sabres a 4-3 win on Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Center.
The Flyers looked poised to control the game early before slipping into the spell that caused them so many problems a season ago.
The Sabres would strike for the first goal as a result. Behind the Flyers net and on his knees, Tyler Ennis managed to move the puck to the side of the net before knocking it off Mason's stick and into the net for the game's first goal at 6:36.
At 10:49, with the Sabres on the power play, quick passing set up the next goal. As the Sabres cycled the puck, Jamie McGinn got inside positioning and was waiting on the doorstep for an easy tip-in goal.
The Flyers managed an answer in the first. Coming up on a rush, Chris VandeVelde snapped a shot that went off Chad Johnson's glove and in to cut the Buffalo lead to one with 5:20 to play in the period.
Both teams were given power play options in a scoreless second. The Flyers had started generating chances and had several opportunities to tie the game.
Finishing was the problem. Many of the Flyers chances didn't end with a shot on goal, while the Sabres continued to pepper Mason with shots. Through two periods, the Sabres held a 25-20 advantage in shots.
The third was a very slow methodical period that saw the Flyers struggling to get chances and Mason keeping them alive.
At 8:14, it appeared to pay off.
Scott Laughton powered up the left wing and centered a pass to the netmouth where Brayden Schenn was able to bury it to tie the game.
But just 1:24 later, a point shot by Jake McCabe managed to make its way through and past Mason to give the Sabres the lead right back.
It wasn't until the final minute of play that the Flyers managed the equalizer again. With the goalie pulled, Claude Giroux's shot from a distance was deflected by Brayden Schenn and over Johnson to tie the game with 53.2 to play.
In the overtime, the Flyers managed a couple of close chances before Girgensons breakaway chance finished things off.
The Sabres out-shot the Flyers, 40-33, for the game. It was Buffalo's first win on the road this season.
The Flyers return to home ice on Thursday when they host the New Jersey Devils. The opening face-off is set for 7 p.m.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
