Scouting the Enemy: Anaheim Ducks vs. Philadelphia Flyers
By Jason Byun
Oct 14, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) reaches for puck in front of Philadelphia Flyers goalie Steve Mason (35) and defenseman Nicklas Grossmann (8) during the first period at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
2. Voracek and Giroux have been offensive machines this season, ranking second and sixth in the league in scoring, respectively. However, the Flyers have struggled a bit on the defensive end, as they have allowed 76 goals, third most in the Eastern Conference and seventh most in the entire NHL. The Flyers also allow the seventh most shots on goal per game (32.2). What has been the main cause for the defensive woes, and how much of that can be attributed to losing veteran Kimmo Timonen to blood clots during the offseason?
Steven: Boy, if this isn’t a broken record around these parts. For starters: the fact of the matter is they just aren’t that good. The talent level is nonexistent, and if it ever was there, it’s diminishing drastically. They don’t really have a good flow, and they’re aging. The few worthy defensemen that they do have are extremely offensive-minded, which doesn’t always help either. There’s just no chemistry. Kimmo is key because he was the leader. Same deal with Scott Hartnell. He’s a solid reason behind the five goals allowed in five games.