Flyers Report Card: Dorwart’s Debut One of the Few Postives from Saturday’s Loss

In almost the opposite fashion of most of this season, the Philadelphia Flyers played a great 40 minutes of hockey, but the wheels completely fell off in the third period.

Although the offensive game may have taken a step back after Ryan Poehling’s game-opening goal, that did not matter in the first 40 minutes because they were playing that well defensively.

A three-goal third period from the Montreal Canadiens completely turned the tables on the Flyers. For most of the game, Philadelphia looked to be in control, but that changed early in the third period.

While a late-game goal from Tyson Foerster brought the Flyers back to within one, it was too late for the Flyers.

The loss eliminated the Flyers from playoff contention for the 5th straight season, matching their longest in franchise history.

Read More: Flyers Officially Eliminated After 3-2 Loss to Canadiens

Flyers Report Card

Karsen Dorwart: B+

Karsen Dorwart had an impressive NHL debut. He came exactly as advertised. Dorwart skated hard but well, was in the face of the Canadiens, making it hard to make plays, and was not afraid to throw a hit.

The Flyers’ rookie tallied two shots on goal, both good chances. He was not shooting just to shoot. Dorwart put himself in position to take a quality shot.

He did not look phased by the NHL intensity, he kept pace with the game. Every shift, Dorwart looked to be cool, calm, and collected, and of course, he could not wipe the smile off his face.

In a disappointing game by the Flyers, Dorwart was certainly a positive.

Ryan Poehling: A

I have absolutely no clue what happened to Ryan Poehling. He has always been a solid role player, but now he just looks ridiculous.

Poehling scored the first goal of the game. It was his fifth goal in five games, his eighth goal in his last 11 games, and his 11th point in the last 11 games.

He looks fast and dynamic, creative with his shots, and is making the most of his opportunities. Poehling has also continued to be a good 200-foot player. This offensive surge has not caused his defensive game to slide either.

Poehling has been a pleasant surprise, to say the least. Saturday was just a continuation of that.

Sam Ersson: D+

Sam Ersson was 20 minutes away from getting an A. On Saturday night, Errson played a very strong 40 minutes in goal. He made easy saves, tough saves, reading through screens—you name it, Ersson was doing it.

However, Ersson was a completely different goaltender in the third period.

You can’t fault him for letting up a goal, especially Lane Hutson’s snipe. However, three goals in one period with the game on the line? That is inexcusable.

The shorthanded goal may have been the worst of the worst. A questionable play on the puck by Ersson–I am still not sure exactly what happened there. Regardless, Nick Suzuki ended up with the puck, danced around the Flyers defense, and scored relatively easily.

Making the play worse, that shot is usually one Ersson stops. I really don’t know what happened there.

The offense did not give Ersson much help, but his horrid third period did not help the team either.

Michkov–Couturier–Konecny: C+

The Sean Couturier line has been one of the best for the Flyers in this recent stretch. That was not the case Saturday night.

Couturier might have had one of his better individual games of the season. He had five shots on goal, including a handful of great chances with the team down a score. The Flyers’ captain had a decent game.

As for Matvei Michkov and Travis Konecny, they just seemed a bit disconnected Saturday night. The two had been one of the Flyers’ primary sources of production lately. They needed to get the two going Saturday night.

Off games are bound to happen with any duo, so you cannot really fault them for that. However, Saturday was just not their night.

The Power Play: Another F

Who would have thought! The Flyers’ power play stunk yet again!

Oddly enough, the Flyers’ power play has started to look better since making the move to five forwards. Saturday night was a massive step backward.

The Flyers had a chance to gain a TON of momentum in the game after Montreal was called for a double minor just over a minute after Poehling’s goal. Instead of capitalizing on that in a big moment, the Flyers were toyed with on their own man-advantage. The Canadiens spent more of the four minutes on the short-handed attack than the Flyers did up a man (that may be an exaggeration).

The Canadiens would later score a shorthanded goal, which would eventually be the game-winner, halfway through the third period. The Flyers again went with five forwards, and it came back to haunt them.

Philly would end up scoring a power-play goal later in the game, courtesy of Tyson Foerster. However, the Flyers’ net was empty as well, so it was six-on-four–a major advantage for the Flyers. It does not right the wrong of the earlier power play woes.

Read More: What Will it Take to Get David Carle?

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