The Philadelphia Flyers were once again shut out Sunday afternoon, this time by the Colorado Avalanche. The Flyers have gone three straight games without scoring a goal, which is less than ideal, to say the very least.
Philly’s lineup on Sunday consisted of 11 forwards and seven defensemen. It was not exactly set up for offensive success, but it was all they could do with the available players. They played well in the first period, but the Flyers’ play broke down in the second, and the Avalanche took advantage of it.
Let’s take a look at some performances from Sunday.
Jacob Gaucher: B+
Gaucher was last in the Flyers by about four minutes in onc-ice-time, but that makes sense. The recent Flyers’ call-up made his NHL debut on Sunday, and for the most part, looked like he belonged.
Sure, it would have been nice to see Gaucher earn a point in his debut, but that would require ANY Flyer to have potted a goal.
After working his way from the ECHL all the way to the NHL, Gaucher tallied two shots, a block, and a hit in just over eight minutes of on-ice time. It should have earned him another opportunity with the Flyers.
Sam Ersson: B
Despite the losses, Ersson continues to be a bright spot in the Flyers post-holiday break. The Flyers netminder faced 32 shots on Sunday and stopped 30 of them. A 30-save night against an electrifying offense is undoubtedly one the Flyers’ netminder should hold his head high over.
Two goals against should have put the Flyers in position to at least have a chance to beat the Avalanche on Sunday. Ersson allowed two scores, but that is a pretty solid performance.
The Flyer’s number-one goalies are 8-4-0 since the holiday break with a .917 save percentage. Those numbers a pretty damn good.
Noah Cates: B
Noah Cates has been quite the story this season. Starting the year as a consistent healthy scratch, Cates has played his way into a consistent role and is now getting top-line minutes.
Sunday, Cates looked like he could thrive in his current line (Foerster-Cates-Konecny).
He played a solid 200-foot game; he was a threat at all times. What was most impressive to me was the amount of time Cates spent in areas where he was not welcomed. He found a way to consistently bring pucks to the blue paint. Though neither Cates nor his teammates converted off the chances, they will come if he continues to do the dirty work.
Offense: F
There is not one specific player that should shoulder the blame for the Flyers’ offensive woes.
However, three straight games without scoring is quite abysmal, and it is coming at one of the worst times possible. At this point, I am not sure what the Flyers need to do. They had 24 shots Sunday–that is not great. 24 shots will certainly not win you games, but neither will no goals.
Only two forwards did not record a shot on goal: Bobby Brink and Matvei Michkov.
The Flyers were just not developing many high-danger chances. You cannot win games without scoring goals, plain and simple. During their scoreless skid, the Flyers totaled 24, 23, and 24 shots on goal, proving Sunday was a continuation of their mediocracy on the ice.
The Flyers will look to snap the scoreless streak on Tuesday when they take on the Utah Hockey Club.
