Five Flyers Observations : What Happened To Home-Ice Advantage?

The Flyers lost 2-1 to the Florida Panthers Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center. After a dismal first 40 minutes, the Flyers tried to mount a comeback in the 3rd period. But, came up one goal short.




Jake Voracek scored the Flyers only goal of the night. Oskar Lindblom continued his hot-streak with a slick cross-ice pass to find Voracek for the goal.

Brian Elliott kept the Flyers in the game and the score close. But, it wasn’t enough. Elliott stopped 28 of the 30 shots he faced tonight.

Here are 4 more observations from the Flyers 2-1 loss to the Panthers…




What Home-Ice Advantage?

Normally, when an opposing team enters your building, you have the upper hand. The crowd behind you. The second change. But, for some reason, the Flyers are struggling to use that advantage.

For the 5th time this season, the Flyers were defeated in regulation on home ice (4-5-0). A place that teams used to fear to enter, is now looking easier and easier to play in.

Teams normally struggle on the road. But, for some unknown reason, the Flyers are struggling to put together a full 60-minute effort on home ice.




40-Minute Rest, 20-Minute Game

This has become the Flyers motto this season. Struggling to get through the first two periods. Then, the Flyers come out strong and dominate the 3rd.

Game after game, the Flyers start slower & slower and dig themselves holes too big to climb out off. Just once this season the Flyers have mounted a 3rd period comeback to a victory. That was a game where they led 2-0 before giving up 4 goals unanswered.

Over the Flyers recent turnaround, this hadn’t been a problem. The Flyers were playing a strong 60-minute game. But, tonight, just like many games this season, the Flyers put out a lack-luster first two periods, and tried to overtake a lead in the 3rd.




Shots, Shots, More Missed Shots?

One of the early season Flyers woos was shots. Whether it was passing up a shot or just missing the net, the Flyers had a problem.

Tonight, those woes returned. In more ways than one. Through the first two periods, the Flyers were being outshot 24-14. But, the bigger problem to being outshot was the failed shots.

The Flyers had more blocked or missed shots through the first two periods than actual shots. Normally you want it around 50-50. However, the Flyers like to do things a little differently.

For comparison, the Panthers had 24 shots on net to only 15 blocked and 6 misses. The Flyers had only 14 shots to 11 blocked and 12 misses.




Help On Its Way?

The Flyers have done a tremendous job to break out of this early season slump. After going 4-7-0 to start the season, the Flyers have turned it around with a 5-1-1 stretch.

However, after another performance from similar to the early season Flyers, they can not go backwards. They need a jumpstart to get them going again. And, could help be on its way again?

James van Riemsdyk was the big Flyers signing of the offseason. However, after blocking a shot in the 2nd game of the season, van Riemsdyk has missed the last 16 games.

But, after practicing now for the last week and a half, van Riemsdyk is ready to rejoin the Flyers lineup. What better way to enter the lineup than after a night where Hakstol juggled the lines.

van Riemsdyk is expected back in the lineup either Thursday night or Saturday.




Result : Flyers 1 – Panthers 2, LOSS

Record : 9 – 8 – 1

Next Game : 11/15 New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia PA, NBCSports Philadelphia 7:00pm