Writer: Kevin Durso
Postgame Perspective: Special teams, Predators shut-down defense halt Flyers
I have been writing for Sports Talk Philly since 2011. Currently editor and lead writer of Philadelphia Flyers coverage. Co-host of the YWT Podcast. I also am Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN-FM in South Jersey. I graduated from Cabrini University in 2014.
All posts by Kevin DursoPublished27 Dec 2014
The Flyers opened the second period with a chance to attack: a 5-on-3 for 58 seconds and two full minutes of power-play time. It went by the wayside.
Trailing 1-0 at the time, the game did eventually get knotted at one. But the lead was short-lived after a 5-on-3 for Nashville turned the tide for good in the Predators favor. Two goals in 38 seconds.
Facing a team that's weak link was power play, the Flyers were bested brutally. Once they were down, they were out as Peter Laviolette's defense put a tight clamp on the offensive zone.
"I thought we played well 5-on-5," Ray Emery said. "Special teams is what it came down to."
"Their 5-on-3 scored and ours didn't," Claude Giroux said.
The Flyers didn't generate much offense as Nashville plugged all holes to Pekka Rinne. When shots did get through or chances were generated, Rinne was up to the task.
"We let them block too many shots," head coach Craig Berube said. "We need to do a better job getting pucks by them."
But what stood out most was the penalty kill. The Flyers have obviously struggled all season facing the man-advantage, but Nashville entered Saturday's game with just two power-play goals at home all season. They scored three in less than two periods.
"It's just tonight," Giroux said of the penalty kill struggles. "We can't get in that position," he added, referring to his two penalties.
"I don't think it matters where they're ranked," Berube said. "We've got to do a better job. That's the bottom line.
"Our PK has been better, but tonight special teams was the difference in the game."
It was a game where the Flyers were had a chance to really show their progress. Any form of points in Nashville after opening the road trip with three wins would have re-enforced the success they had before Christmas.
Now, the questions return. Did the break hurt the Flyers again? The Flyers get their next chance in Arizona on Monday.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
