In a game that saw the Philadelphia Flyers outshoot the Buffalo Sabres by a considerable margin, the result was a disappointing 5-2 defeat for the former. This marks the Flyers' fifth loss in their last six games, raising questions about their current form and future prospects.
Game Summary
The Flyers fell to the Sabres despite a strong shooting performance, with 40 shots compared to the Sabres' 15. However, the Sabres' goaltender, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, proved to be a formidable barrier, saving an impressive 38 out of 40 shots. The decisive goal came in the third period from Sabres' Owen Power, tilting the balance in favor of Buffalo.
Further adding to the Flyers' woes, their goaltender Carter Hart had to leave the game early due to a mid-body injury. If Hart is unable to recover in time for their next match, Felix Ersson may have to step up as the starting goalie.
Post-Game Reactions
John Tortorella, seemingly frustrated with the team's performance, noted their slow start but also acknowledged the improved gameplay later on. "We started slow again. Gathered ourselves and I thought we played a pretty good hockey game from that point on," he said.
Scott Laughton echoed similar sentiments, expressing disappointment over the result despite a commendable effort for most of the game. "We played a pretty good game for 50 minutes and don't get the results, so go back to the drawing board," stated Laughton.
Sabres' Defensive Prowess
Despite the Flyers' onslaught, the Sabres managed to hold their ground. Their goaltender, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, praised the team's defensive performance. "We locked down defensively," he said. "Even though they had a lot of shots, the defense was unreal in boxing out and blocking shots. It wasn't pretty but a win is a win."
Owen Power, who scored the decisive goal, seemed relieved to have found the net earlier this season compared to the last. "Tage put it in a good spot and dropped it," he said. "I just walked in and shot it. It's nice to get my first goal earlier than last year."
Looking Ahead
The Flyers and Sabres will face each other again on Friday in Buffalo. Don Granato, reflecting on the game, acknowledged the competitive nature of the Flyers. "It was a good reset for us going in tied into the third and we limited second chances on the net," he said. "This was a very competitive group we played against with pace."
As both teams prepare for the rematch, the Flyers will be hoping to turn their fortunes around, while the Sabres will look to build on their recent victory.