Tippett’s standout play not enough to lift Flyers
It wouldn’t be a stretch to call it Owen Tippett’s “coming out party.’’
After all, the Flyers had been waiting since last season’s trade deadline for a breakout effort when they acquired the right wing from the Florida Panthers for franchise player Claude Giroux.
It’s taken awhile but Tippett has shown steady improvement this season and that progress was highlighted in the Flyers’ 5-4 shootout loss to the Canadiens on Saturday night.
Kevin Hayes’ goal at 8:17 of the third period put the Flyers ahead 4-3. He punched in the rebound of a Nick Seeler shot. But the Canadiens scored with three seconds to play on a goal from Cole Caufield, his second of the game. Nick Suzuki scored the only goal in the shootout for Montreal.
Tippett put together the first two-goal performance of his career but the Flyers saw their winless streak extended to six games (0-42).
Included in this production was a rare goal off a right circle faceoff at 15:50 of the second period to tie the score at 3-3.
In one motion, Tippett fired the puck past stunned Montreal goaltender Jake Allen.
Tippett’s first goal came just 2:55 into the game to give the Flyers a 2-0 lead. Tippett was set up by defenseman Travis Sanheim, who scored his first goal of the season at the 39-second mark.
The Canadiens stormed back with a pair of goals of their own. Christian Dvorak sent a shot past goaltender Carter Hart at 4:07, then Caufield scored on a five-onthree power play at 17:49.
Montreal took a 3-2 lead on Mike Matheson’s goal at 11:55 of the second period but Tippett responded with his sixth goal of the season.
“He’s getting better,’’ Sanheim said. “He’s a big piece for us and we’re going to need him.’’
Injury report
Travis Konecny, who appeared to suffer an injury to his right hand in Thursday night’s 4-1 loss at Boston, was sent back to Philadelphia for further evaluation. Scott Laughton left the game less than two minutes into the third period after a violent collision. He did not return to action.
Short shots
The Flyers return to action Monday when they host the Calgary Flames on Hockey Fights Cancer Night. Zack MacEwen registered a pair of assists, including one on the Hayes goal. It was his second career multipoint game.