Flyers’ winless streak reaches 6

They played well but had nothing to show for it.

The Flyers dominated play in a game against Buffalo and still couldn’t find a way to win on Friday night.

A 4-2 loss to the Sabres at KeyBank Arena meant the Flyers’ winless streak has hit a season-high six (0-4-2) games.

Although the Flyers lost, they caught a break when Washington blew a 2-1 lead in the third period at Carolina and also lost, 4-2. So the Flyers at least hold onto a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference as the Islanders back into the third place in the Metropolitan Division.

The Flyers had a big advantage in shots but Buffalo goaltender UkkoPecca Luukkonen was up to the task, turning aside all but two of 33 shots.

Owen Tippett’s goal at 9:19 of the third period chipped Buffalo’s two-goal lead down to 3-2. Tippett scored on a shot from the point which went past the bodies of a couple players. But that’s where the Flyers’ offense ended.

A back-breaking goal by Buffalo’s Jack Quinn, his first of two, with 5.1 seconds left in the second period put the Flyers in a 3-1 hole.

The Flyers’ suffered a defensive breakdown allowing Quinn to get wide open in front for a shot past goaltender Ivan Fedotov, making his first start in the NHL.

Flyers coach John Tortorella gave both his team and his goaltender mixed reviews.

“I thought we played the right way,” the coach said. “That’s the way we have to play, we have to bury some of our chances. A lot of the game I’m happy about, but we didn’t finish. He (Luukkonen) is a good goalie, he played well.”

As for Fedotov, some of his inefficiency could be chalked up to long stretches without shots.

“Hard game to play because he didn’t get much action, not many chances,” Tortorella said. “I think we need another save but I also think we need to capitalize on our chances. That’s the difference in the game. I was encouraged with a lot of things with our game. If we just keep our patience, keep our wits about ourselves and play this way, we’ll find our way.”