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Quick Hits: May 24, 2021
1) The Flyers played 12 sets of back-to-back games in 2020-21; accounting for roughly 43 percent of their 56-game schedule. The team posted an 11-12-1 record in such games, going 7-5-0 overall in the front end of back-to-backs but just 4-7-1 in the second game. Only twice did the Flyers win both games. They earned back-to-back home overtime wins against the New York Islanders on Jan. 20 (3-2) and Jan. 21 (4-3). Subsequently, the Flyers skated off with back-to-back road shut out wins against the Buffalo Sabres on Feb. 27 (3-0) and Feb. 28 (3-0).
2) Far and away, the Flyers' most successful shooter in shootouts this season was center Sean Couturier. He went 4-for-6 this season. This marks the second straight season that Couturier fared the best in shootouts, going 3-for-8 in 2019-20.
Claude Giroux was 2-for-5 this season. He went 3-for-10 in 2019-20.
The rest of the team this season was a combined 2-for-14, with the only successful attempts coming from Kevin Hayes (1-for-2 this season) and Nolan Patrick (1-for-3).
3) Cold Comfort Department: The Flyers finished in the top 1/3 of the NHL in team Corsi this season (52.04%) and in the middle of the pack in expected goals share (14th, 50.4%). Philly finished 9th in average shots on goal per game (30.2) and dropped from the No. 1 in the NHL in fewest opposing shots on goal allowed per game in 2019-20 to 12th this season at 29.2 SA/GP.
Actually, through the end of February, the Flyers were in red in most of these statistical measures despite getting off to an 11-4-3 start in the standings. They were dead last in shots on goal per game (25.8) , 28th in opposing shots on goal per game (32.1 percent). The team Corsi ranked 30th (46.61%) and the expected goal share ranked 26th at 47.1%
When Alain Vigneault made his much-ridiculed comments referred to the team "being on the right track" amid their swan dive in the standings in March -- and their horrifically ballooning team goals against average -- he was referring to the underlying puck possession stats getting significantly better.
Unfortunately, while goaltending performance undeniably nosedived in March in particular, the Flyers were still prone to the "big breakdown" type of performances that led to closely spaced goals against, too frequent chasing of games from behind (which ultimately meant they were outshooting more opponents, because of score effects), an unreliable penalty kill and a drag-down effect on the offense in combination with a spotty power play. Philly finished dead last in the NHL in goals against average (3.52) and dead last in team save percentage (.892). Across the 56 game schedule, the Flyers scored first just 23 times (only LA's 21 and Buffalo's 19 ranked below Philly).
These were all more glaring -- and more telling -- tendencies than where the team ultimately finished in their metrics. Philly put itself behind the 8-ball with far too much regularity.
4) In case you do not subscribe to Jason Myrtetus' Flyers Daily Show on the Flyers Broadcast Network, do yourself a favor and sign up for the podcast. There's no drama-mongering, no fluff, just straight-up hockey content. In recent episodes, Jason spoke with assistant coach Michel Therrien about an array of topics including the Flyers' power play inconsistency this season, with assistant coach Mike Yeo about what needs to improve in terms of team defense and penalty killing, and with national hockey columnist Pierre LeBrun about the view on the Flyers this offseason from outside the organization.
Later this week, Jason and I will devote an episode to discussing the Flyers' salary cap picture, the NHL Expansion Draft and what Philadelphia may/ may not be able to prioritize in terms of upgrades. Jason will also be recording an interview with goaltending coach Kim Dillabaugh. Last week, Jason also interviewed Ian Laperriere.
In the weeks leading up the NHL Draft, Jason and I will be doing a series of tandem interviews with Flyers scouts on the upcoming Draft and the unusual set of challenges that every NHL organization had to work out this season. Stay tuned. Additionally, Brian Smith and I will be doing a season wrapup edition of the monthly "Prospect Pipeline" podcast.
5) Today in Flyers History: The late Pelle Lindbergh was born in south Stockholm on this day in 1959.
6) Today in Flyers History: May 24, 1974
The just-crowned Stanley Cup champion Flyers got even stronger as they prepared to defend their title. The team acquired young sniper Reggie Leach (a friend and linemate of Bob Clarke from their junior hockey days together with the Flin Flon Bombers) from the California Seals. The deal came at the price of trading well-regarded young forward Al MacAdam, who went on to a solid NHL career in his own right, as well as former 1st round pick Larry Wright (selected 8th overall in the 1971 NHL Draft) and the Flyers 1974 first-round pick (Ron Chipperfield). Leach goes on to become one of the most prolific goal scorers in Flyers franchise history and a member of the Flyers' Hall of Fame.
7) Today in Flyers History: May 24,1980
In one of the most heartbreaking and controversial games in Flyers' franchise history, the host New York Islanders skate to a 5-4 overtime win in Game 6 to end the 1980 Stanley Cup Final.
The result was largely influenced by two highly disputed plays in the first period: a Denis Potvin goal that appeared to have been knocked in with a high stick and, even more infamously, a blatant offside missed by veteran linesman Leon Stickle that resulted moments later in a Duane Sutter goal that temporarily put the Islanders ahead, 2-1. A goal by Bobby Nystrom at 7:11 of overtime ended the game and series. New York won its first of four straight Stanley Cup championships.
8) Today in Flyers History: May 24, 2010
On May 24, 2010, the Flyers closed out the Eastern Conference Final with a 4-2 win at the Wells Fargo Center in Game 5 against the Montreal Canadiens. With the victory, the Flyers advanced to the Stanley Cup Final for the eighth time in franchise history.
After spotting the Habs a 1-0 lead in the opening minute of the first period, the Flyers settled down. A shorthanded goal by Mike Richards at the 4:25 mark tied the game. On the play, Richards raced over the middle for a loose puck. Challenged by a defender and met by desperately sliding Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jaroslav Halak venturing far out of his net, Richards dived headfirst and poked the puck past Halak toward the net. Popping quickly back up to his feet, the Flyers' captain claimed the puck near the left side of the crease and slid a backhander into the now-vacant cage.
The usually stoic Richards whooped in glee as he was mobbed by teammates and the crowd went berserk.
The 1-1 tie held until early in the second period, when Arron Asham and Jeff Carter scored goals spaced 84 seconds apart and the Flyers grabbed a 3-1 advantage.
In the third period, the Habs threw everything they had at the Flyers. Scott Gomez cut the gap to 3-2 with 13:07 remaining. Finally, with 23 ticks remaining on the clock, Carter iced the game and series with an empty netter to restore a two-goal lead at 4-2. Michael Leighton, who recorded three shutouts earlier in the series, finished with 25 saves on 27 shots.
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