Well, it’s been a while since we’ve dealt with a loss, huh? The Canadiens clearly came into this game more hungry and inspired than the Flyers. This had to be easily one of the worst first period performances from the Flyers this season and it costed them the game. Going down 2-0 in the first against Carey Price is quite a mountain to climb, and unfortunately the Flyers could not get it done.

First Period

Oh boy, where to begin. Montreal would cash in just one minute into the game off a hustle board play from Brendan Gallagher getting a shot on net for the rebound finish from Tomas Tatar. They would get another one just 11 minutes after off another hustle rebound play finished by Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

Kotkaniemi cleans up the puck in front to put the Canadiens (+125) up 2-0 on the Flyers
pic.twitter.com/hT4OG8AMty

— Bet The Pucks (@betthepucks) August 14, 2020

Notice a theme?

Flyers were just getting purely outworked in the first period, they didn’t even log their first shot until 16 minutes into the period… when they were already down by 2. All season long the Flyers have played with identity, hustle, and grit; but that wasn’t present to start this game. It was a miracle to even be down only 2-0 at intermission.

Second Period

The second period started how the first did, with a Montreal rebound goal from Tomas Tatar. This goal came on the powerplay after Shayne Gostisbehere was called for holding on Max Domi, which turned out to be a very controversial call. You be the judge.

Shayne Gostisbehere gets 2 minutes in the box because 4th liner Max Domi can’t skate. pic.twitter.com/Z5KvePJ43r

— Jordie (@jordiebarstool) August 14, 2020

The Flyers started getting their legs under them after the third goal, drawing a couple penalties and getting themselves on a 5-on-3 man advantage to swing momentum. Unfortunately, they just didn’t get too much going. After a couple point shots and a missed tip in from Konecny, the penalty was killed and this seemed to be the nail in the coffin.

Montreal would score again just a little bit after on a wrist shot by Joel Armia that was accidentally redirected off Shayne Gostisbehere. Alain Vigneault then pulled Carter Hart, and in came Brian Elliott.

Elliott in for Hart, we are not having fun

— TLY (@TheLibertyYell) August 14, 2020

Third Period

At this point the game was all but over, but there was still time to gain any signs of positive momentum going into Game 3. They started off the period playing well, getting a couple grade-A scoring chances that were turned away from Price and the Canadiens defense. That momentum would be cut short though, as Kotkaniemi split the defense and went top shelf halfway through the period giving Montreal a 5-0 lead. Travis Konecny was also shaken up towards the end of this game with a left ankle injury, and I’ll doubt we’ll have any kind of update before game 3.

Travis Konecny takes a shot off the foot and hobbles to the locker room pic.twitter.com/zqC2XeBbHl

— Ryan Gilbert (@RGilbertSOP) August 14, 2020

Overview

This is the first Flyers loss since March, so hitting the panic button does seem a little overboard to me, but to have reasonable doubts? That seems valid after this performance. Montreal outplayed the Flyers in the last two periods of game one as well, and after seeing this I totally understand why someone would have doubts. Carter Hart was fine today, what can you do when your team doesn’t get a shot for 16 minutes? All in all, I don’t know how to feel. This could be a time for doubts, this could’ve also just been a wake-up call. Game 3 will tell that story.

Wake. Up.