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5 Takeaways: Sandstrom, Foerster Strong in Flyers’ Loss

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Nick Seeler, Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers defenseman Nick Seeler makes a diving play to knock the puck away from Carolina's Stefan Noesen on Thursday. Photo: AP.

The Philadelphia Flyers almost stole a win because of Felix Sandstrom’s strong goaltending Thursday in Carolina.

Almost.

Carolina got an early power-play goal and it stood up as it defeated the punch-less Flyers, 1-0, at PNC Arena.

Sine Jan. 12, the Hurricanes (43-12-8) are 18-3-1, the NHL’s best record in that span.

The Philadelphia Flyers lost for the 10th time in their last 12 games and slipped to 24-30-11.

Here are five quick observations:

1. Tyson Foerster played well in his NHL debut.

The 6-foot-2, 194-pound right winger, recalled from the Phantoms earlier in the day, didn’t look out of place. Eight minutes into the game, he nearly scored, but was denied in front by goalie Pyotar Kochetkov.

Foerster, 21, a first-round pick in the 2020 draft, finished with two shots and was solid defensively. He had several relatives at the game.

“It felt great, having my family there looking over me,” Foerster said on NBC Sports Philadelphia after the first period. “It’s always been a dream of mine to be here.”

Foerster played on a line with Noah Cates and Scott Laughton, and he said “I just don’t want to be scored on.”

Late in the second period, with goalie Felix Sandstrom out of position, he saved a goal by blocking Andrei Svechnikov’s ticketed shot. The Ontario native blocked three shots.

Coach John Tortorella liked what he saw from Foerster.

“He played very well. I thought he was one of the better players with the puck, and with poise with the puck,” he said. “So his first game, against a top team like this, it’s encouraging.”

2. The Flyers again took too many early penalties.

Just 2:09 into the game, Svechnikov scored on a one-timer from the high slot to give Carolina a 1-0 lead. The goal was scored 50 seconds after Kevin Hayes was whistled for a questionable holding penalty.

That made the Flyers just 3 for 7 on the penalty kill over the last two games.

Just like they did in Tuesday’s 5-2 loss in Tampa, the Flyers gave Carolina three power plays in the first.

3. Felix Sandstrom kept the Flyers close.

Sandstrom made his 11th start this season — and just his fourth when the Flyers weren’t playing on the always-difficult second end of back-to-back games.

He kept the Flyers in the game, stopping 28 of 29 shots and twice robbing Svechnokov on golden chances. It was an impressive performance, especially when you consider it was his first start since Feb. 12.

“He gave us a chance,” Tortorella said. “I thought he was outstanding.”

4. Joel Farabee is still snakebitten.

The 23-year-old winger is doing everything but finding the back of the net over the last two months.

He is now goal-less in his last 24 games. The forward’s last goal was Jan. 9 in Buffalo.

Farabee’s best chance was when he was sent away on a second-period breakaway, but he was stopped by Kochetkov with 11:57 to go in the stanza.

5. The Flyers’ offense was flat.

Philly’s offense continued to struggle. The Flyers managed just 19 shots and rarely tested Kochetkov. They have just 11 goals over their last seven games (1.6 per game).

Most of the Flyers’ shots were from the perimeter.

“I think we can generate a little bit more right in front of the net instead of from the outside,” right winger Owen Tippett said.

Tortorella was blunt with his assessment.

“We don’t make enough plays; we haven’t made enough plays, and we probably won’t the rest of the year,” he said. “So we have to play above it (the puck), wait for our opportunities, and hopefully get some good forechecking. And hopefully bang some in.”.

Their power play was 0 for 1 and is now 3 for 35 (8.6%) over the last 17 games.

Breakaways

The Canes had a 68-32 domination in shot attempts. … Ivan Provorov blocked five shots and had three takeaways while playing a game-high 26:02. … Carolina defenseman Brent Burns celebrated his 38th birthday with an assist on the game’s only goal. He has 51 points in 63 games. … The Flyers outhit the Hurricanes, 21-8. Nick Deslauriers had five hits. … Because Foerster and Elliot Desnoyers were emergency callups. the Philadelphia Flyers can still recall four players from the Phantoms. The forwards were recalled because of injuries to Wade Allison and Brendan Lemieux. … The Flyers finish the three-game trip in Pittsburgh on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

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