Flyers Fan Reaction (FFR4) Gm 80: PHI 1, CHI 3 – Boring
That’s what you get for making this the only hockey game of the night. The Philadelphia Flyers lose, 3-1, to the Chicago Blackhawks it what had to be the most boring hockey game of the season. Not just the Flyers’ season, or Chicago’s dreadful one as well, but probably the entire 2021-22 NHL season. No other hockey games to distract fans from. Probably tens of Flyers fans tuning it to a game only broadcast on ESPN+ and Hulu over the 76ers far more meaningful dud and a consistent offensive performance from the Phillies. At least one Philadelphia team did their job on Monday.
Well, maybe two if you consider the Flyers losing tonight a success. It’s one thing if the Flyers pick up two points against a team they had almost no shot of catching in terms of futility in Montréal. Or if they beat a clear playoff team and hated rival in the Penguins. Winning against Chicago, on the other hand, could have had serious consequences. The Flyers would have bypassed the Devils and Chicago with a victory tonight. Instead, the loss keeps them at fourth worst in the NHL, with third-worst Seattle still capable of passing them.
As for the game itself, there simply isn’t much that was noteworthy. Former Flyer Erik Gustafsson opened the scoring just 1:44 in because he’s former Flyer Erik Gustafsson. And not the cult hero one. Jonathan Toews tallied less than five minutes later, and Chicago’s lead rarely felt threatened the rest of the way. That was the case despite Kevin Hayes answering the Toews goal less than two minutes after the fact. The Flyers generated just 1.39 expected goals at 5-on-5. After scoring just their second goal of the month on Sunday, the Flyers’ man-advantage was back to its putrid self. An early period goal by Alex DeBrincat put it out of reach.
Other than Felix Sandström having a performance Mike Yeo called “outstanding” and some more nice but not jaw-dropping plays by the kids, there really isn’t much to say. So I’ll do us all a favor and not say anymore. Get some sleep, everybody. If you’re like me, you need it — and not just because of how sleep-inducing the Flyers performance was tonight.
Lindies
In all seriousness, congratulations to Kevin Hayes on being named the Flyers’ nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy. The award, won by Oskar Lindblom in 2021 and Ian Laperriere in 2011, goes to the player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey.” Hayes certainly fits the bill, battling through three surgeries in the last year and the tragic death of his brother, Jimmy. No one would have blamed Hayes if he’d called it a season after undergoing surgery No. 3 in January. Instead, he’s been Philadelphia’s most productive player since returning on March 5, scoring 21 points in 25 games. The nomination is made by the Philadelphia Chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
The Flyers’ two game winning “streak” that ended Monday was their first since March 5-8. Tonight’s loss guarantees their last three-game streak of the season will be the first three wins of the Mike Yeo “era” — Dec. 10-14. That’s the only time all season the Flyers will win three straight.
When the regular season ends on Friday, expect Vendetta previews for every playoff series preview. I don’t how many of them will be from me, but I’ve already started working on Wild-Blues and Oilers-Kings. Should be another great year of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Hopefully, the Flyers will find their way back to next year’s.
3 Stars
3rd: Jake McCabe (CHI) – Assist (18), 20:54 TOI
2nd: Alex DeBrincat (CHI) – Goal (41), 4 Shots
1st: Jonathan Toews (CHI) – Goal (12), 65% Faceoffs
Next
PHI: 4/27, 7:30 PM @ WPG (36-32-11, W1)
CHI: 4/27, 8:30 PM vs. VGK (42-31-6, OTL1)
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All Advanced Stats are 5-on-5 unless otherwise stated and via Natural Stat Trick
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