Missed opportunities cost Flyers in loss to Kraken out of the holiday break originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Flyers didn’t have a good return from the holiday break as they fell to the Kraken, 4-1, Sunday night at Climate Pledge Arena.
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They failed to take advantage of their chances and couldn’t capitalize on Seattle’s leaky penalty kill.
Carl Grundstrom scored the Flyers’ lone goal with 1:57 minutes left when the club was down 3-0 and had already given up one of two empty-netters.
The Flyers (19-11-7) lost in regulation for just the sixth time over their last 25 games (13-6-6).
Rick Tocchet’s club split its two-game regular-season series with the Kraken (16-14-6).
The Flyers haven’t won in Seattle since Dec. 29, 2021, when James van Riemsdyk had two goals, Ivan Provorov had one and Martin Jones was between the pipes. They’re 0-3-1 in their last four visits.
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• Dan Vladar converted 16 saves on 18 shots.
The Kraken’s second goal came 5:49 minutes into the third period. Chandler Stephenson scored on the Flyers’ top line and defensive pair. Vladar initially had a chance to play the puck to a less dangerous area than behind the net, which is where Eeli Tolvanen won a battle with Travis Sanheim.
Just 3:48 minutes into the second period, the Flyers fell behind 1-0 for the 25th time this season. Jordan Eberle was left alone in the slot for the game-opening marker.
Seattle netminder Philipp Grubauer stopped 31 of the Flyers’ 32 shots.
The Flyers had some opportunities to strike early, but they went 0 for 2 on the power play in the first period. They finished 0 for 3 on the night against the Kraken’s league-worst penalty kill.
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• A couple of health matters:
Sanheim played 19:25 minutes after missing the final 12 and a half minutes of the Flyers’ 3-1 win Tuesday night over the Blackhawks prior to the break.
Denver Barkey was also in the lineup after missing the third period of that victory. The 20-year-old rookie drew a penalty and was noticeable offensively.
• Trevor Zegras had his career-best point streak halted at nine games.
The 24-year-old trade acquisition was held scoreless for the first time since Dec. 7.
• The Flyers are back in action Tuesday when they visit the Canucks (10 p.m. ET/NBCSP).
It’ll be Tocchet’s return to Vancouver, where he spent parts of the previous three seasons as head coach.
