Flyers Falter in Game 4 Loss to Penguins

There was no need for the brooms on Saturday night. The Philadelphia Flyers made too many mistakes to overcome to move on to the second round.

The Pittsburgh Penguins scored in each period on the way to a 4-2 decision in Game 4, extending the series to a fifth game.

How It Happened

The Penguins ultimately cashed in on the power play for the first goal of the game at 14:24. Sidney Crosby got his first of the series with a shot from the high slot that beat Dan Vladar glove side to make it 1-0.

Just 1:03 into the second, the Penguins added to the lead off a miscue by Vladar. Rickard Rakell scored on a wrap-around after grabbing a turnover to make it 2-0.

The Flyers finally got on the board with 4:20 to play in the period. Denver Barkey tipped in a pass from Trevor Zegras for his first of the playoffs to make it 2-1.

The Penguins restored the two-goal lead at 4:27 of the third. Kris Letang was left open in the slot and walked into a slap shot for his first goal of the series. Travis Konecny answered for the Flyers with a goal on a one-timer at 7:03.

Connor Dewar iced the game with an empty-net goal in the final minute.

Box Score

1st Period

PIT Sidney Crosby (1) PP (Erik Karlsson) 14:24

2nd Period

PIT Rickard Rakell (1) (Unassisted) 1:03
PHI Denver Barkey (1) (Trevor Zegras, Cam York) 15:40

3rd Period

PIT Kris Letang (1) (Crosby, Rakell) 4:27
PHI Travis Konecny (1) (Christian Dvorak, Travis Sanheim) 7:03
PIT Connor Dewar (1) EN (Blake Lizotte, Noel Acciari) 19:03

By the Numbers

Shots: Flyers: 30, Penguins: 21
Power Play: Flyers: 0-for-3, Penguins: 1-for-3
Faceoffs: Flyers: 56.4%, Penguins: 43.6%
Goalies: PHI Dan Vladar: 17 saves on 20 shots, PIT Arturs Silovs: 28 saves on 30 shots

Key Performers

⭐ Kris Letang — After a miserable three games to start the series, Letang turned back the clock with his best showing of the series. His goal proved to be the game-winner, and he was strong on the puck and moved it well to keep the Penguins on the attack.

⭐⭐ Arturs Silovs — The change in goal paid off in Game 4. Silovs turned aside many quality chances for the Flyers, especially off the rush, and held the lead for the Penguins when it mattered most.

⭐⭐⭐ Travis Sanheim — The Flyers' defenseman had a very strong game, playing big minutes and picking up an assist. He'll be leaned upon again in Game 5.

The Takeaway

The Flyers put up a fight to the end, but too many mistakes proved costly. An offensive-zone penalty led to Pittsburgh's power-play goal. A miscue behind the net led to the second. A lost battle on the boards at 4-on-4 led to the third. The first chance to put away the series goes by the wayside, and now the Flyers have to travel to Pittsburgh for another game with another chance to move on.