Florida scored three goals on the power play, which was a liability for the team last season.Defenseman Mark Streit scored a power-play goal for Philadelphia (0-1-1).Goaltender Roberto Luongo made 29 saves to earn the win for Florida. At least we saw a few history tonight: The Panthers’ four goals in the first 6:46 marked the quickest four-goal deficit in franchise history.
Goalie reportThis might have been Mason’s worst game of his career.
It was only Game 2 of 82, but the doors to the Flyers’ locker room remained closed a little longer than usual after Saturday night’s game, following the 7-1 embarrassing loss to the Florida Panthers. The first goal was due to poor rebound control on a bouncing puck fluttered in from center ice.
It was a stark contrast from the standard set last season when the Panthers were one of the worst offensive teams in the league and also deviated from Mason’s tradition of dominating Florida. Mason was chased one minute later when Jokinen tapped in an easy even-strength goal off Trockeck’s shot that caromed off the right post and in front of the crease, which was unmanned after Mason came out to meet Trocheck.Michal Neuvirth, acquired in the offseason as a free agent, replaced Mason after the fourth tally. “I take full responsibility”, Mason said. If that were the case, they wouldn’t have had the close game they played against the Lightning the other night. Had a good start, had a real good 60 minutes.
“We came out hot and that was huge, ” Trocheck said. “That’s the start everyone is looking for every game”. But it’s worth noting that the Flyers bailed on their head coach just a few games into the season previous year and there is huge pressure for the winning ways to return to Philly sooner rather than later.
“After a game like that, you gotta realize what you did”, Streit said. However, just two games into his first season Hakstol is already being locked out of his own postgame meetings. “Tonight, it was like a different team out there”. Florida took its 4-0 lead into the first intermission and scored 33 seconds into the second period to go up 5-0. “We have to look at the tape for mistakes because there were many of them”.
Both of Jagr’s goals came against Neuvirth.
The second period got off to equally inauspicious start.
Philadelphia finally got on the board at 3:34 courtesy of a power-play goal.
“It should leave a pretty sour taste for everybody”, Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said.
Short shots: For the second straight game, Vinny Lecavalier, Sam Gagner and defenseman Radko Gudas were healthy scratches…Ryan White made his displeasure with the Panthers felt, getting into several scrapes with several Panthers, including Shawn Thornton.
