[Boxscore] - [Minnesota Reaction]
The story of the game? Anton Khudobin. He was fantastic as he stifled the Flyers for two and a half hours in his first NHL start to pick up a 2-1 victory on Saturday night. Man, those Wild certainly know how to stock the system with solid goaltenders. At least that's what everybody is going to be talking about tonight.
Sure, Khudobin was good. But the real story of the game? How the Flyers are completely, 100-percent inept when it comes to finishing and actually putting a puck across the goal line. They can generate all the chances in the world, and that shouldn't be a surprise with the talent on this team.
But they can't score a goal. There are no finishers on this hockey team, and if they want to accomplish anything in the realm of hockey success, they're going to have to acquire one. Quickly.
The problem isn't the defense. No, they were just fine tonight and they've been just fine on that end this entire road trip. The problem isn't the goaltending either. Was Michael Leighton fantastic tonight? No. Much like Khudobin, he was solid but not Brodeur-esque.
He let up a few soft goals, both of which were without a doubt his fault. That's not the difference in the game, however, as Leighton has received just two goals of support in his last four losses. The difference is the Flyers can't score a goal. It's not a difficult concept to understand, but it may be a difficult problem to overcome.
After the jump, questions with answers and the comment of the night.
Questions With Answers
- Can the Flyers make Khudobin look like a rookie and not a Hall of Famer? No they can't. Minnesota fans are no doubt excited, but that excitement could subside if the kid sees an offense that can finish.
- Does the insertion of (insert name of goon here) make a difference in the hockey game? Nope, although Owen Nolan punched Scott Hartnell in the face a few times and somehow didn't get a fighting penalty.
- Are the Flyers opportunistic on the offensive end tonight? Not even close. True story, I just laughed out loud while reading this question back to myself.
- Defensively, do they play another sound road game? Yes, the lone bright side of the night. Krajicek in particular was impressive again.
- What terrible things does Mike Russo of the Star-Tribune say about the Flyers tonight? He regurgitated his lie from preseason that Mike Richards is a dirty player who went after Eric Belanger.
Comment of the Night
The Olympics, so I can go two weeks without having to watch a boring, frustrating game.