Flyers’ pathetic play is a new one for Justin Braun, too | On the Fly
“I really haven’t been in this kind of situation,” said Braun, an 11-year vet. Plus a look at the studs in Shayne Gostisbehere’s rookie class and where they are now. Hint: None are on the taxi squad.
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“It’s not a fun night to be a Flyer,” NBC analyst Scott Hartnell said after the Sabres made it 6-1. It wasn’t a fun month, either. Brandon Montour, a Sabres defenseman who had two goals all season, scored twice in 37 seconds. Shorthanded. One was an empty-netter, the second was off his own rebound when he beat Alex Lyon with a slick backhander.
It’s the two fastest ever by a defenseman.
Yes, Brandon Montour. Not Victor Hedman. Not Roman Josi. Not John Carlson. Montour had one shorthanded goal in 393 games as a pro.
That’s no April fools’ joke.
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Uh, oh. Even Justin Braun has never seen anything like this.
It was the final game of a month in which the Flyers were 6-10-1. They were just smothered by a team that had an 18-game losing streak (0-15-3). So Alain Vigneault declined to analyze his team’s play in March, much the way a farmer doesn’t examine his boots when he comes in from the field. He just wants to wash off the stench.
OK, so new topic. This one’s for Justin Braun. He had a tough night, was on the ice for three Sabres goals, though he could hardly be faulted. One went off his leg, another when a shot of his was blocked which led to a rush, and the third when partner Phil Myers put himself out of position by chasing the puck. Brutal.
But even more discouraging was Braun’s honest response to how the Flyers can pull themselves out of their current rut. He’s been in the league for 11 years. Played in his 701st game on Wednesday. Surely, he’s seen this before.
“I really haven’t been in this kind of situation where you’re getting blown out one night and then, you know, keeping it tight [the next] like we have been,” he explained. “So I can’t really relate back to a lot of those situations.”
Huh. With the Flyers’ next five games against the Islanders and Bruins, that’s a little troublesome.
“It’s tough,” he said with a sigh of aggravation. “It’s tough to be eating this many goals night in and night out.”
Ivan Provorov pointed out the other night that the gaps between the Flyers’ forwards and defensemen were being exploited. It’s a problem that arose again on Wednesday.
Do you realize the Sabres have seven wins all season? Two of them are against the Flyers by 6-1 scores. Yo.
“When you’re giving up this many goals,” said Braun, who is perilously close to missing the playoffs for just the second time in his career, “there’s a lot of different things that go into it.”
The worst part is there is no apparent solution on the horizon. And don’t say Cam York.
Things to know
Did somebody say Cam York? The Flyers signed their 2019 first-round pick to an entry-level contract starting ASAP. Alain Vigneault reveals the initial plan for the 20-year-old defenseman from the University of Michigan.
Of all the disappointing stats in March, being outscored by 27-9 in the first period is the sign of a frail team. Sam Carchidi’s game story has the details, from last night’s loss, including Sean Couturier’s pointed criticism.
Colleague Luke Reasoner, one of our crack news designers, looks on the bright side of the Flyers’ loss to the Sabres — in a smart-ass kinda way that most Flyers fans can empathize.
Shayne Gostisbehere went unclaimed on waivers as teams apparently were deterred by his $4.5 million annual salary-cap hit, which runs through the end of the 2022-23 season.
Carter Hart had been working with his personal mentor since he was in grammar school. Could their split prior to the season be contributing to his slump?
“It’s hard to put into words when you see your son go through so much and finally have such a nice moment. For two years, it’s been hard, and a long road. He’s starting a new chapter.” — Sylvie Morin
Shayne Gostisbehere and other top rookies of 2016
Thought this might be an appropriate time to look back at the leaders in voting for 2015-16 rookie of the year. Connor McDavid probably would have won, but he played in only 45 games. Anyway, here’s the best of the 2016 rookie class:
Artemi Panarin (winner), Blackhawks: Only rookie that year to score 30 goals. … Was 24, and had played seven seasons in the KHL. … Has been with the division-rival Rangers the last two seasons and has blossomed into one of the most dangerous players in the NHL. … Third in MVP voting last season.
Shayne Gostisbehere, Flyers: Led all rookies with 17 goals in 2015-16. … Has had one really good season since (2017-18) with a couple -20s sprinkled in. … Turns 28 on April 20, but shows flashes of being a second-pairing defenseman.
Connor McDavid, Oilers: Had 48 points in 45 games, but missed 37 after an awkward collision into the boards with Flyers defenseman Brandon Manning in a November game. … Entered Wednesday second in the league in goals (21), and first in assists (42) and points (63). Arguably the best player in the game today.
Jack Eichel, Sabres: Had 24 goals after being selected right after McDavid at the top of the 2015 draft that previous June. … Is also one of the league’s 10 best players, but an upper-body injury has cost him a good chunk of the season. His team stinks, which also isn’t helping matters.
Dylan Larkin, Red Wings: Led the Red Wings with 23 goals in 2015-16, which (gasp) also was the last time they went to the playoffs. … Was named Detroit captain prior to this season, but the Red Wings also are dreadful. … Larkin is -74 since his rookie season.
Maxi Domi, Coyotes: Put up 18 goals and 52 points in 81 games. … Is now with Columbus, his third team in his six seasons. … Has just five goals in 37 games and has been moved around the lineup this season — from center to wing and even to the fourth line.
John Gibson, Ducks: Was the only goalie to get Calder consideration that year. Won 21 games and posted a .920 save percentage. … Battling injuries now and is a mediocre goalie (7-12-5, .897) on a bad team.
Colton Parayko, Blues: The only other defenseman besides Gostisbehere with more than one ROY top-5 vote. Parayko also is the only player on this list to have won a Stanley Cup. … Has missed most of the season with a back injury, but when healthy is quite a reliable defender.
Flyers’ Next 5
Saturday: at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m. (NBCSP)
Monday: at Boston, 7 p.m. (NBCSP)
Tuesday: vs. Boston, 7 p.m. (NBCSP, NHLN)
Thursday, April 8: at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m. (NBCSP)
Saturday, April 10: vs. Boston, 2 p.m. (NBCSP)
From the mailbag
I get the reason Ghost was put through waivers as you now have the cap space to add a defensemen (should they decide to), but if they use assets to add a goalie that’s just dumb and they should fire the entire organization.
— Inquirer.com user MaryEllenRD
pls oh pls don’t bring that kid to this mess.....gm and coach have already broken Carter Hart.
— @jpbflyers201 via Twitter, about Cam York
Send questions or observations via Twitter to beat writers Ed Barkowitz (@EdBarkowitz) or Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull).