Flyers lose Hart and another close game in third, finish homestand 1-3-0

Flyers lose Hart and another close game in third, finish homestand 1-3-0 originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Flyers faced yet another nail-biting contest on Wednesday night.

However, they had to contend with the absence of their top goaltender.

Entering the third period in a 2-2 tie, the Flyers ultimately suffered a 5-2 defeat against the Buffalo Sabres at the Wells Fargo Center.

Carter Hart was forced to leave the game just 10 minutes in due to a mid-body injury, conceding two goals on five shots (learn more about his injury here).

Brandon Biro scored an empty-netter to seal the game for the Sabres.

The Flyers (4-5-1) have encountered difficulties early in this rebuilding season, losing five of their last six games (1-4-1). Nevertheless, they have managed to keep the score close, being outscored only 25-20 during this stretch.

This is the team’s worst start through 10 games since the 2018-2019 season when they opened with a 4-6-0 record.

Last season, under coach John Tortorella, the Flyers were 5-3-2 in their first 10 games.

In Wednesday night’s game, Joel Farabee and Cam Atkinson each scored a goal for the Flyers, while Travis Sanheim picked up two assists.

The Flyers finished their four-game homestand with a 1-3-0 record and will now play five of their next six games on the road.

The Flyers will get a chance at redemption against the Sabres (5-5-0) in their upcoming game.

In relief duty, Samuel Ersson made seven saves on nine shots. However, the Flyers’ defense struggled in the third period, allowing two goals that ultimately decided the game.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, the Sabres’ goaltender, had an impressive performance, stopping 38 of the Flyers’ 40 shots.

So far this season, the Flyers have struggled on the power play. After having the worst power play in the league in the previous two seasons, they have started the current season with a 4-for-35 performance on the man advantage.

Against the Sabres, the Flyers went 0 for 3 on the power play.

It is expected that the power play will experience some growing pains this season, considering the youth in the Flyers’ lineup. Assistant coaches Rocky Thompson and Brad Shaw have been given the autonomy to run the special teams units, with Thompson overseeing the power play and Shaw the penalty kill.

Through the first 10 games this season, Travis Sanheim has already accumulated 10 points (one goal, nine assists), showcasing the potential that had the Flyers excited during training camp and the preseason.

In terms of challenges, the Flyers successfully caught the opponents offside and won a coach’s challenge for a second consecutive game. However, the Sabres quickly regained the lead after the initial goal was overturned.

Tage Thompson of the Sabres was a standout player in the game, contributing with a goal and two primary assists. He had previously recorded a 47-goal, 94-point season, but the Flyers have managed to keep him scoreless in their two meetings so far.

The Flyers announced on Tuesday that Felix Sandstrom has been loaned to their AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley for conditioning purposes. Sandstrom, the team’s third-string goalie, has yet to play a regular-season game and will need to clear waivers if the Flyers choose to keep him with the Phantoms after the conditioning loan, which can last for up to 14 consecutive days.

The Flyers and Sabres will face each other again on Friday in Buffalo, New York (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

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