Giroux returns to Philadelphia; Sens defeated Flyers, 4-1

by Arthur · November 12, 2022

Claude Giroux had a fruitful return to the Wells Fargo Center, dishing out three assists as the Ottawa Senators cashed in on their opportunities against the Philadelphia Flyers, 4-1.

Kevin Hayes scored the only goal for the Flyers. He cleared the puck after Travis Konecny drove to the net with persistence. Before the end of the period, Thomas Chabot was wide open as he entered the offensive zone, shooting after the defense crashed around Brady Tkachuk. Giroux would take the secondary assist on the play. It was the only consistent goal from the Senators.

Philadelphia couldn’t get much of anything going on their power play. In addition, they committed terrible punishments. Nicolas Deslauriers was penalized for interference, leading to the first of two goals by Alex DeBrincat. Then Scott Laughton hacked Austin Watson and delivered another DeBrincat power play goal.

“You can’t win in the NHL if you’re going to play against two opponents. It is the opponent, themselves and us. We did so many good things, but then we implode ourselves with the penalties. Only unnecessary penalties; can’t do that.”

John Tortorella; 12/11/2022

Giroux had two more assists on the power play. In two games this season against the Flyers, he has four points (1G, 3A.)

Tim Stutzle added the goal. He tangled with Rasmus Ristolainen, and the puck carried over the goal line as both skaters wiped out. Tomorrow, Philadelphia completes its back-to-back with a 1:00 pm faceoff.

Table of Contents

Special team (-)

Tortorella stated that he took positives from today’s loss. The self-implosion caused by penalties doesn’t define how the Flyers performed during even-strength hockey.

Lukas Sedlak, Noah Cates and Zack MacEwen continue to bring the energy. They are noticeable on the advance check. Philadelphia mostly played well with the puck. Unfortunately, the momentum stopped and started too often due to the penalties.

Ottawa has a dangerous power play unit. Four power play skaters (Giroux, Tkachuk, Stutzle and DeBrincat) had a multi-point game. The Flyers had just as many opportunities on the power play, converting none of their chances into a 0/3 effort.

Growing pains

Owen Tippett looked to be the focal point on the power play for Philadelphia, aiming to get his powerful shot into the best shooting areas. He took the poor performance against the Columbus Blue Jackets in stride, and looked much better tonight despite the conversion rate.

“After the last match I told you that I am my biggest critic and I know what mistakes I made; that I can’t make them again. I knew I had to be better today. I thought I held onto the puck better and made smarter decisions.”

Owen Tippett; 12/11/2022

On the power play, he generated one shot. During consistent hockey, he had three shots on goal, one blocked shot and two hits. There was perseverance from the Flyers, a silver lining from this loss.

Philadelphia had the puck often enough, outscoring their opponents while playing their most physical game of the young season.

Another player who gave his body in was Wade Allison. Unable to catch a break, he took a stick to the face on a follow-up. Allison missed the remaining seven minutes of the first period before missing the rest of the game with an injury in the second. Health is a constant battle for the Flyers skaters, especially Allison. Speaking of him:

Wade Allison

Every play he made, right down to the last, was productive for Philadelphia. He always finds a way to maximize the impression he makes on the ice in a short amount of time. Allison skated a total of 7:12, leaving in the second period due to injury.

Before leaving in the first period, taking a stick to the face on a follow-up, Allison blocked a shot, forced a takeaway, made three hits and had two shots on goal. He returned at the start of the second period after the repairs. Allison didn’t miss a step, coming back in to the tune of four hits and another shot on goal. Before he went out, he bumped into Jacob Bernard-Docker. At the time, we were unsure of the injury and Tortorella did not provide an update.

Wade Allison; PHIvSOTT; 11/12/2022 via Natural Stat Trick

There are two ongoing themes about Allison. He’s absolutely electric on the ice, but his full-throttle style routinely gets him injured. Allison is evident in several minutes on the ice, and is a tone setter on the ice. Kieffer Bellows may enter the lineup in place of Allison tomorrow.

The Philadephia Flyers will host the Dallas Stars tomorrow, completing a back-to-back this weekend.

(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)