Back-To-Back Beatings As The Flyers Lose Another 6-2 Decision - Highlights Lowlights & Analysis

Former Metro division foe, Anthony Beauvillier, did the early damage, with two goals and Elias Pettersson had a career game with 5 points, including two empty net goals.

1. At A Loss For Words:

In case you missed the late tilt, John Tortorella shuffled his lines and came up with a head scratcher; Noah Cates centring Travis Konecny and Nicolas Deslauriers.

Konecny currently led the Flyers in points heading into action, with 51 in 50 games, and Cates has shown the ability to create lately, but the addition of Deslauriers and his 8 points on that line makes little sense. This isn't the 1980's, where Dave Semenko was needed to provide protection for Gretzky, who was putting up 150+ points per year.

Deslauriers career high in points came in 2014-15 when he posted a staggering 15 points. Deslauriers' value to the team is evident, but pairing your 16th best setup man and perennial fourth line grinder with your teams top scorer typically isn't a recipe for success. Last night was no exception. Deslauriers doesn't have the pace, skill set, or ability to be effective in a top six roll and that will never change, but that's what was asked of him last night.

2. The Brauns-age.

Perhaps showcasing Justin Braun for a potential swap for a 4th or 5th round draft pick, he made his impact early. Braun ripped an initial shot off of the shin pads of Phillip Di Giuseppe, but quickly pounced on the puck for a second shot attempt. Braun threw the puck at the net and looked to score the Flyers tying goal on the shot, but the official scorers later determined Scott Laughton got a touch on the puck before it saw its way into the net.

Braun finished the night +1 and will likely be moved to a contending playoff team, who will look to add an insurance policy on the blue line.

3. Lucky Luke Schenn.

Heading into the game I don't think a lot of the preparation defensively would have focused on Luke Schenn, but he was instrumental in the Canucks first two goals of the game.

The Flyers have been reluctant to pressure opposing defense up high and Schenn took advantage of the loose coverage, sliding into a lane and firing a quick wrist shot on net. Beauvillier got his stick on the shot and tipped it past Carter Hart to make it 1-0.

On the Canucks second goal the Flyers were in relatively good shape until Scott Laughton gave up on Elias Pettersson. Laughton had containment on Pettersson but once he spun towards the boards Laughton didn't close the gap or pressure (straight backed and coasting), allowing Pettersson ample time to survey the ice. Pettersson spotted a wide open Schenn for a pass, who dropped down uncontested and slid a tap in feed to Andrei Kuzmenko. Kuzmenko beat Travis Sanheim to the spot, leaving Carter Hart no chance on the play.

4. A Proper Power Play Configuration?!

The struggling Flyers power play finally made an obvious adjustment; setup the player with arguably the best shot on the team on his off wing for one timers and tell him to unload. Owen Tippett is that player and his lack of use as the triggerman on the man advantage has been a surprising omission.

Tony DeAngelo pulled the defenders to the middle and worked the puck back against the flow and slid the puck into Tippett's wheel house. Arturs Silovs made the initial save on Tippett's blast, but he could not contain the rebound. The big body of Rasmus Ristolainen created havoc and Konecny mucked for the loose puck, which was eventually jammed in by Morgan Frost, who crashed the net as well. The simplified approach paid dividends.

5. M I A

Should there be concern for Joel Farabee? Farabee played only 10:21, the second lowest amount of ice for a Flyers forward and he hasn't seemed to endear himself to Tortorella this season.

Farabee is in the first year of a six year, $30 million dollar contract and all indicators pointed to him being one of the Flyers top goal scorers and eclipsing the 25 goal mark this year. Such has not been the case, as Farabee has struggled immensely this season, only ringing the back of the net 9 times in 57 games. Farabee is now goalless in his last 16 games and doesn't appear to be generating many scoring opportunities.

Farabee's contract, much like Sanheim's 8 year - $50 million dollar pact, looks to be problematic this year and could be a serious issue if their production rates do not increase.

Speaking of potentially troubling contracts, Sean Couturier is in year one of his eight year, $62 million dollar deal too. That's $142 million dollars in contracts without much in the way of a return on the investment!

The Flyers return to action Monday night against the Calgary Flames and then travel to Edmonton on Tuesday. The Flames are coming off an emotionally charged overtime win against the New York Rangers and Edmonton is clinging to the top wild card spot in the Western Conference.