Flyers vs Canucks: Observations - Insights - Highlights & More

Carter Harts new gear is straight fire!! Unfortunately, Seeler put up a smoke screen on the second shot of the night and a defensive lapse allowed Garland to walk in and rip a perfect shot by Hart o. The very next shot; both shots eluding the new leather.

After surrendering 2 goals on the first 3 shots, Carter Hart made some phenomenal saves and stopped the next 26 shots he faced, including multiple saves on a 6 on 4 penalty kill in the last two minutes of the game.

2. The Power Play?

The Flyers didn't seem to adapt to the pressure of the Vancouver Canucks penalty kill, going 0 for there first 4 attempts. Against a high pressure PK, quick puck movement is the key to creating clean looks and that quick puck movement wasn't there.
DeAngelo managed to sneak a shot through traffic on the 5th PP, giving the Flyers life. DeAngelo's PP goal, in only his second game of the season, tied him with the goal output Keith Yandle offered as the Flyers power play QB last season.

Yes, the power play will be better this season.

3. The curious case of Zack MacEwen?

Is anyone else confused by Zach MacEwen's demotion to the AHL this year? MacEwen played in 75 games for the Flyers last season and was a physical catalyst on the fourth line. MacEwen racked up 110 minutes in penalties, while dishing out 159 hits, the most by any flyers forward. MacEwen is a north/south, in your face style player who can cause disruption on the forecheck with his strong strides, dogged determination, and relentless work ethic. MacEwen seemed liked he would have been an ideal candidate to have immediately endeared himself to the Flyers new bench boss, John Tortorella, but such was not the case. Instead of MacEwen, the Flyers opted to keep Hayden Hodgson up with the club to start the season; a player with 6 games of NHL experience and an underwhelming resume.

With Owen Tippett landing on the Injured Reserve list and Hodgson being sent down to the Phantoms, the Flyers looked ready to bring Zack back. They did not. Instead, the Flyers recalled 2017, sixth round pick, Olle Lycksell, for his first taste in the show and center Jackson Cates.

You have to think Zack MacEwen won't spend much longer in the AHL and will once again be a fan favourite upon his imminent return.

4. The Unsung Hero!

He doesn't get the credit he deserves for his offensive creativity and ability to produce, but Scott Laughton can find his way onto a highlight reel! I was expecting a fake shot, slip it five hole deke, but a BarDown snipe is never a letdown. Unbelievable feed by TK!

5.The Best Offense Includes Your Defense.

How many years (yes years) has it been since we have seen the Flyers defense fully engaged and actively looking to produce offensively?! Provorov is back, no doubt about it. Tony DeAngelo looks like a rover in the offensive zone, but reads the game extremely well and doesn't get caught. Travis Sanheim also looks more confident with the puck and the forwards are rotating well up high when the D do activate.

The old �dump it off the glass and hope you get it back in the neutral zone' seems like its time has passed in Philadelphia. The Flyers D are using there legs to get out of trouble and initiate breakouts. Quick passes and filling the lanes for an outlet looks like the new norm.

6. Closing It Out.

We saw it far too many times last year; conceding a lead with under two minutes left. The sense of déjà vu had to sneak into Flyers fans heads, but the new pressure look thwarted the potential comeback. Noah Cates came up with a massive blocked shot, Carter Hart looked calm and focused, and the pressure on the puck made a considerable difference. Tony DeAngelo didn't concede the zone on an entry and forced a soft dump which the Flyers easily retrieved; that aggressiveness at the blue line did not exist last year.

7. 35+ Goal Season??

Travis Konecny is flying and firing the puck from everywhere. Can he breakout for 35+ goals this year? 3 in the first two games seems like a good start.