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Flyers Fan Reaction (FFR5) Gm 8: CAR 4, PHI 3 (OT) – Trending

Andrew McGuinness / NHL / October 31, 2022

It looked like the Flyers were on their way to another improbable victory to finish October. But the Hurricanes reminded them of just how unstable their current formula is with a comeback win. (Matt Slocum / Associated Press)

CARe to explain yourselves? The Philadelphia Flyers lose, 4-3, in OT, to the Carolina Hurricanes. They still finish October in solid position, sporting a strong 5-2-1 record and taking a point from one of the league’s best teams. Yes, the Flyers were 2:05 from taking two before a Martin Necas goal stopped their fun.

But the Necas goal was a much overdo one, on scales both small and large. The Flyers actually played a great third period, sporting a 69.43% expected goals rate and taking a 3-2 lead on a goal by Wade Allison. It looked like they were on their way to a typical 2022-23 Flyers win. Start from a 2-0 deficit with Carter Hart looking off his game early. Erase the deficit despite the other team taking over territorial dominance. Let Hart and your special teams bring it home. Two points: secured.

That obviously didn’t happen on Saturday. And unless the Flyers dramatically improve their underlying 5-on-5 play, it probably won’t happen much going forward. At least in a vacuum, it’s great that the Flyers have been able to rack up so many points without playing well. But they can’t get too comfortable with where their play is at, or the floodgates will open just like they did last season. Saturday’s defeat was a pretty gentle reminder, but a reminder nonetheless, of that. This time, the Flyers would be wise to heed its advice.

Lindies

Doing so will be difficult without Sean Couturier and James van Riemsdyk playing for the near future. Couturier is out 3-4 months after undergoing his second back surgery in the last year. And van Riemsdyk will miss six weeks for surgery on a broken finger.

Nicolas Deslauriers recorded his first goal as a Flyer in this one and also tallied an assist. He had just one point in his first seven games in Philadelphia.

Kieffer Bellows made his Flyers debut at left wing next to Morgan Frost and Zack MacEwen. The line was Philadelphia’s worst from an expected goals standpoint, and though Bellows did register three hits, he failed to record a shot in 11:50 of ice time.

Phillies Show Concerning Signs In Game 2, But Their Winning Plan Is Still Intact

Good news: these articles will start getting longer in about a week. Better news: despite a disappointing Game 2, the Phillies are still in solid shape.

The Flyers’ .688 points percentage in October was their highest in the month since they recorded a .700 mark (7-3-0) in 2007.