Fast Start Fades as Flyers Fall to Ducks

It couldn't have started any better. Riding a three-game winning streak, the Philadelphia Flyers carried the momentum into Saturday's game, scored two power-play goals, and looked well on their way to another win.

But the bad habits of the past were back in full force in the middle portion of the game, and making a late surge was too little, too late. The result was a 5-4 defeat to the Anaheim Ducks, snapping the three-game winning streak on Saturday afternoon at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

How It Happened

The Flyers had the early jump, but weren't able to get on the board in a relatively low-event first 13 minutes. Then a big hit by Hunter McDonald set the stage for the Flyers to cash in. McDonald's hit on Sam Colangelo led to a retaliatory roughing penalty, then an addition set of penalties on A.J. Greer for dropping the gloves with McDonald.

The result was a two-minute 5-on-3 for the Flyers, and they took advantage of both ends. Just seconds into the 5-on-3, Matvei Michkov scored his seventh goal of the season to make it 1-0 at 13:59. Just 63 seconds later, Travis Sanheim connected on a brilliant feed to Porter Martone at the side of the net for his third goal of the season to make it 2-0 at 15:02.

Through 20 minutes, shots were 11-6 Flyers.

At 8:38 of the second, Anaheim got on the board courtesy of a Flyers' turnover. Leo Carlsson finished off the opportunity for his third goal of the season to make it 2-1.

With 6:53 remaining in the period, the Ducks tied the game. A chance for Greer hit the far post and was right along the goal line before barely crossing off of Joseph Woll's skate. Greer's second of the season evened things at two.

The Flyers restored the lead with 4:56 to play in the period. On a shorthanded chance, Tyson Foerster's shot squeaked through Lukas Dostal to make it a 3-2 game. Just 75 seconds later, Anaheim tied it again as some loose defensive coverage allowed Judd Caulfield to get to the net and tie the game at three.

Shots were even at 21 through two periods.

Just two minutes into the third, Anaheim took the lead for the first time in the game. Tristan Luneau picked up his third point of the game, slipping a shot through Joseph Woll to make it 4-3.

On a power play, Anaheim extended the lead to two at 7:10. Beckett Sennecke was left alone in front of the net for the tip-in goal to make it 5-3 with his sixth of the season.

The Flyers responded 67 seconds later, with Michkov cleaning up a loose puck in the crease for his second of the game to make it 5-4.

Box Score

1st Period

PHI Matvei Michkov (7) PP (Jamie Drysdale, Trevor Zegras) 13:59
PHI Porter Martone (3) PP (Travis Sanheim, Zegras) 15:02

2nd Period

ANA Leo Carlsson (3) (Cutter Gauthier) 8:38
ANA A.J. Greer (2) (Tim Washe, Tristan Luneau) 13:07
PHI Tyson Foerster (2) SH (Nick Seeler) 15:04
ANA Judd Caulfield (2) (Alex Killorn, Luneau) 16:19

3rd Period

ANA Luneau (1) (Travis Mitchell) 2:00
ANA Beckett Sennecke (6) PP (Carlsson, Jackson LaCombe) 7:10
PHI Michkov (8) (Martone, Noah Cates) 8:17

By the Numbers

Shots: Flyers: 32, Ducks: 26
Power Play: Flyers: 2-for-7, Ducks: 1-for-4
Faceoffs: Flyers: 48.4%, Ducks: 51.6%
Goalies: PHI Joseph Woll: 21 saves on 26 shots, ANA Lukas Dostal: 28 saves on 32 shots

Key Performers

⭐ Tristan Luneau — A three-point game for the rookie defenseman, including a third-period goal that put Anaheim in front for good.

⭐⭐ Matvei Michkov — Two more goals for Michkov, who is up to eight on the season, and continues to be an offensive force.

⭐⭐⭐ Leo Carlsson — He opened the scoring for Anaheim and that seemed to turn the tide. Carlsson added an assist on the eventual game-winning goal.

The Takeaway

It started so promising, a late first-period surge that had things pointing toward a fourth straight win. Then the bad habits from the first nine games crept back in. Poor puck decisions, taking penalties, a lack of execution, and for the first time goaltending wasn't up to par.

The Flyers are not good enough to overcome a lack of attention to detail, and certainly not good enough to give away goals like they did in this one, whether on mismanaged pucks or poor goaltending. So the momentum of three straight wins is gone, and it provides a reminder that after losing the first nine games, it's not an easy hole to climb out of to get back into the running.