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After losing a game by six goals, you definitely want to get back on the ice and try and right the ship so to speak as quick as possible. Thankfully, the Flyers can do that tonight in Ottawa after whatever they decided to do against the Sharks last night in Philadelphia —because it certainly wasn’t hockey.
Next up is a tilt north of the border with the Ottawa Senators, a club that has undergone major changes in the last calendar year to say the least. The Sens, now sans Erik Karlsson, are 1-1-1 through three games after a 6-3 drubbing from the Bruins last time out. The Flyers roll in off a 8-2 lashing from the Sharks in their home opener.
Last night marked the Flyers’ first contest without prized free agent acquisition James van Reimsdyk, who is out 5-6 weeks with a right knee injury suffered in the 5-2 loss in Colorado over the weekend. Jordan Weal, a healthy scratch the first two games, drew into last nights game against San Jose as Dave Hakstol juggled his lines a bit with the first big injury of the season just one game in.
The presence of JVR was unlikely to help the Flyers withstand the Sharks’ first period blitz a night ago anyways, though it’s a big blow to the second power play unit going forward, which was expected to get a boost with his signing.
Ottawa’s offense is paced by defenseman Thomas Chabot, who has two goals and three assists through three games. Forwards Ryan Dzingel and Zack Smith both have four points apiece. Clearly in rebuild mode following a sell off that has included Karlsson and fellow veteran Derick Brassard, the Sens don’t figure to contend for a few years but still have some veteran pieces like Bobby Ryan, Mark Stone, and Matt Duchene to stay competitive.
The Flyers are licking their wounds after a forgettable home opener, but they’ll need to be ready to avoid an early three-game losing skid against the Sens.
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