Murray Stymies Flyers in Loss to Penguins

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The Flyers points streak was snapped at 10 games, but it certainly wasn't from a lack of effort.

The Flyers finished the game with 51 shots, including a franchise record 28 shots in the second period alone, but had only one goal to show for it as Matt Murray made 50 saves and the Penguins picked up a 4-1 win over the Flyers on Monday night at Wells Fargo Center.

The Flyers got an early power play chance to get on the board first, but didn't even register a shot on the man advantage.

The Penguins did get the first goal, capitalizing off a bounce. Bryan Rust won a battle behind the net and chipped the puck up off the glass. It landed on the other side, still behind the goal line, and Sidney Crosby was the only one to find it. Carter Hart also lost sight of the puck, and Crosby was able to tuck it in on the unsuspecting netminder before he could get across for his 24th goal of the season.

The Penguins got a power play moments later, but the Flyers held them without a shot as well.

After 20 minutes, the Flyers led in shots, 9-8.

The Flyers completely dominated the second period, finishing with 28 shots on goal to eight for the Penguins. Despite controlling the period, the Penguins ended up with the only goal.

Off a rush, Evgeni Malkin dropped a pass to Nick Bjugstad. Bjudstad got away a quick shot through a screen that may have deflected and beat Hart to make it 2-0 at 7:04.

The Flyers were on the power play with under eight minutes to play in the period when they had a call go against them. A shot by Travis Konecny was stopped by Murray, but dropped between his legs and leaked out the other side uncovered. Nolan Patrick was right there to pick up the loose puck and put it into the net, but a quick whistle by the officials nullified the goal. The Flyers came out of the period with nothing on the scoreboard to show for their dominance in possession and shots.

After two periods, shots were 37-16 Flyers.

Shots in the third were 14-12 Flyers, but again, Murray was up to the task throughout the period. With 5:14 left, Jake Guentzel iced the game with a wraparound goal that beat Hart through the five-hole.

The Flyers got a power play for the remainder of the game when Malkin received a match penalty for a high-stick on Michael Raffl. The Flyers did get a goal out of it early with Jake Voracek scored on a rebound to make it 3-1 with 4:34 left in the period.

The Flyers never got any closer, and Kris Letang sealed things with an empty-net goal in the final minute.

Murray finished with 50 saves in the win. Hart made 24 saves on 27 shots in the loss, his first in nine games.

Box Score

Scoring Summary

1st Period

• PIT Sidney Crosby (24) (Bryan Rust) 8:19

2nd Period

• PIT Nick Bjugstad (6) (Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel) 7:04

3rd Period

• PIT Jake Guentzel (27) (Kris Letang, Crosby) 14:46
• PHI Jake Voracek (14) PP (Shayne Gostisbehere, Claude Giroux) 15:26
• PIT Kris Letang (13) SH-EN (Crosby) 19:47

Game Statistics