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  4. title => "Subpar start leads to Flyers loss vs. Lightning but doesn't hurt spot in NHL playoff race"
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  6. article_body => "<p><a href=\"https:\/\/csnphilly.stats.com\/nhl\/boxscore.asp?gamecode=2020021520\" target=\"_blank\">BOX SCORE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Flyers didn't bring their A-game to a&nbsp;game they needed it.<\/p>\n<p>There would be no giant killing Saturday&nbsp;as the Flyers lost to the Lightning, 5-3, at Amalie Arena.<\/p>\n<p>Goals from Ivan Provorov, James van Riemsdyk and Claude Giroux weren't enough for the Flyers (32-20-7), who are 6-3-2 against the Bruins, Lightning, Capitals, Penguins and Blues, the league's top five clubs.<\/p>\n<p>Tampa Bay is the only one the Flyers haven't beaten. They'll get a final crack at the Lightning on March 12 in the same building.<\/p>\n<p>The Lightning (39-15-5) have won 10 straight games.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 This really wasn't&nbsp;a bad loss for the Flyers.<\/p>\n<p>They were at the end of a road trip and playing the NHL's hottest team. Tampa Bay is&nbsp;22-2-1 over its&nbsp;last 25&nbsp;games and hasn't lost at home since Dec. 19.<\/p>\n<p>The Flyers&nbsp;entered Saturday with a 66.9 percent chance to make the playoffs, according to Hockey-Reference.com, and still hold an&nbsp;Eastern Conference&nbsp;wild-card spot <a href=\"https:\/\/csnphilly.stats.com\/nhl\/standings_wildcard.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><em><strong>(see standings)<\/strong><\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Alain Vigneault's team&nbsp;just needs to recharge and be ready for a big home-and-home set against the Blue Jackets next&nbsp;week.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Things got chippy in the second period. Travis Konecny was right in the middle of it all.<\/p>\n<p>Steven Stamkos appeared to trip Giroux before a faceoff. Giroux didn't even look to be that&nbsp;mad about it.<\/p>\n<p>During the final 6:09 of the middle frame, 22 penalty minutes were accrued.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\u201cMe?\u201d<br><br>\u201cThat guy.\u201d<br><br>That guy being All-Star Travis Konecny. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/mjcw5oMzg4\">pic.twitter.com\/mjcw5oMzg4<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JHallNBCS\/status\/1228810235621584898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 15, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">coolcoolcoolcool.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/PHIvsTBL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#PHIvsTBL<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NowOrNever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#NowOrNever<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/9sLYVC0A37\">pic.twitter.com\/9sLYVC0A37<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NHLFlyers\/status\/1228809594035671040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 15, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Amazing show of disrespect by Stamkos towards Giroux. Purposely tripped him before a draw with a slew foot. Was not called a penalty!<\/p>&mdash; Chris Therien (@ctherien6) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ctherien6\/status\/1228810230504574976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 15, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">see. just chatting. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/PHIvsTBL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#PHIvsTBL<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NowOrNever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#NowOrNever<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/OjOlHVoPgW\">pic.twitter.com\/OjOlHVoPgW<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NHLFlyers\/status\/1228811848654434305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 15, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>\u2022 Brayden Point (10-game point streak) is good at hockey.<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Brayden Point, everybody. \ud83e\udd2f <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/gK9ZorJWGL\">pic.twitter.com\/gK9ZorJWGL<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TBLightning\/status\/1228827081213083648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 15, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>\u2022 Carter Hart, who was coming off his first road victory since&nbsp;Nov. 10, allowed four&nbsp;goals on 23&nbsp;shots.<\/p>\n<p>The 21-year-old wasn't the problem.<\/p>\n<p>The first goal was a fluky one by Alex Killorn. On the second,&nbsp;Provorov was sloppy with the puck in the defensive zone and Tampa Bay capitalized to take a 2-0 lead into first intermission.<\/p>\n<p>In the middle stanza, the Lightning beat Hart on a 3-on-2 to grab a commanding 3-0 advantage. Tampa Bay improved to 33-4-3 when it&nbsp;scores three&nbsp;or more goals.<\/p>\n<p>Not only are the Lightning really good, but the Flyers also didn't play their typical forechecking, possession-based game until it was too late.<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Killer on the board first! \u2611\ufe0f <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/oAIjHjeJm0\">pic.twitter.com\/oAIjHjeJm0<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TBLightning\/status\/1228792486421782530?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 15, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Ceddy on the spot! <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ymSbHQRF6B\">pic.twitter.com\/ymSbHQRF6B<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TBLightning\/status\/1228798639167795201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 15, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">This pass from Heddy... \ud83d\ude0d <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/V4gsdzht39\">pic.twitter.com\/V4gsdzht39<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TBLightning\/status\/1228805787683885056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 15, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>\u2022 Outside of the&nbsp;van Riemsdyk's third-period goal, Lightning netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy was strong with 30&nbsp;saves, 15&nbsp;of which came in the final stanza.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Vasilevskiy improved&nbsp;to 18-0-1 with a 1.83 goals-against average and .940 save percentage over his last 19&nbsp;starts.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Provorov was far from his best against Tampa Bay but he did score the Flyers' first goal to trim the Lightning's lead to 3-1 in the second period. He also had an assist.<\/p>\n<p>The 23-year-old has grown into a power play quarterback this season. He leads all NHL defensemen with seven man advantage goals after scoring only two over his first three NHL seasons.<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Provorov on the power play! | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/skiJFBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@skiJFBB<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/WeVEP2JxPw\">pic.twitter.com\/WeVEP2JxPw<\/a><\/p>&mdash; NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBCSPhilly\/status\/1228807450624765952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 15, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>\u2022 Travis Sanheim played 19:43 minutes Saturday after missing almost the entire third period of&nbsp;Thursday's 6-2 win over the Panthers because of a lower-body issue.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 The Flyers are off Sunday, practice at 11:30 a.m. Monday in Voorhees, New Jersey and host the Blue Jackets Tuesday (7 p.m. ET\/NBCSP).<\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/art19.com\/shows\/flyers-talk-a-philadelphia-flyers-podcast\/episodes\/63ba2435-127a-48e8-a9d6-72d518720538\/embed\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 200px; border: 0 none;\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe> \n<p><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/smart.link\/5bb788a3d5b83?site_id=Web_NBCS_Philly&amp;creative_id=nbcsphi1356&amp;cp_4=www.nbcsports.com&amp;cp_1=washington&amp;cp_2=myteams-nbc-sports&amp;cp_3=nbcsphi1356\">Click here<\/a>&nbsp;to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><strong>More on the Flyers<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/flyers\/flyers-roster-prospect-morgan-frost-ahl-affiliate-lehigh-valley-phantoms\">Flyers make roster decision with top prospect, might not be the last<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/flyers\/nhl-playoffs-standings-format-flyers-chances-2019-20\">Debating the NHL playoff format as Flyers fight for spot<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/flyers\/jason-zucker-trade-seth-jones-injury-have-impact-flyers-chances-nhl-playoff-race\">Big trade and injury within Metropolitan Division have impact on Flyers<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/flyers\/support-oskar-lindblom-grows-across-world-new-oskar-strong-shirt-available-biscuit-tees\">Support for Lindblom grows across world as new 'Oskar Strong' shirt is available<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/flyers\/carter-hart-new-flyers-goalie-mask-honors-ray-emery-oskar-lindblom\">Hart's new mask is touching and awesome in so many ways<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"
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Flyers

Flyers

BOX SCORE

The Flyers didn't bring their A-game to a game they needed it.

There would be no giant killing Saturday as the Flyers lost to the Lightning, 5-3, at Amalie Arena.

Goals from Ivan Provorov, James van Riemsdyk and Claude Giroux weren't enough for the Flyers (32-20-7), who are 6-3-2 against the Bruins, Lightning, Capitals, Penguins and Blues, the league's top five clubs.

Tampa Bay is the only one the Flyers haven't beaten. They'll get a final crack at the Lightning on March 12 in the same building.

The Lightning (39-15-5) have won 10 straight games.

• This really wasn't a bad loss for the Flyers.

They were at the end of a road trip and playing the NHL's hottest team. Tampa Bay is 22-2-1 over its last 25 games and hasn't lost at home since Dec. 19.

The Flyers entered Saturday with a 66.9 percent chance to make the playoffs, according to Hockey-Reference.com, and still hold an Eastern Conference wild-card spot (see standings).

Alain Vigneault's team just needs to recharge and be ready for a big home-and-home set against the Blue Jackets next week.

• Things got chippy in the second period. Travis Konecny was right in the middle of it all.

Steven Stamkos appeared to trip Giroux before a faceoff. Giroux didn't even look to be that mad about it.

 

During the final 6:09 of the middle frame, 22 penalty minutes were accrued.

• Brayden Point (10-game point streak) is good at hockey.

• Carter Hart, who was coming off his first road victory since Nov. 10, allowed four goals on 23 shots.

The 21-year-old wasn't the problem.

The first goal was a fluky one by Alex Killorn. On the second, Provorov was sloppy with the puck in the defensive zone and Tampa Bay capitalized to take a 2-0 lead into first intermission.

In the middle stanza, the Lightning beat Hart on a 3-on-2 to grab a commanding 3-0 advantage. Tampa Bay improved to 33-4-3 when it scores three or more goals.

Not only are the Lightning really good, but the Flyers also didn't play their typical forechecking, possession-based game until it was too late.

• Outside of the van Riemsdyk's third-period goal, Lightning netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy was strong with 30 saves, 15 of which came in the final stanza. 

Vasilevskiy improved to 18-0-1 with a 1.83 goals-against average and .940 save percentage over his last 19 starts.

• Provorov was far from his best against Tampa Bay but he did score the Flyers' first goal to trim the Lightning's lead to 3-1 in the second period. He also had an assist.

The 23-year-old has grown into a power play quarterback this season. He leads all NHL defensemen with seven man advantage goals after scoring only two over his first three NHL seasons.

• Travis Sanheim played 19:43 minutes Saturday after missing almost the entire third period of Thursday's 6-2 win over the Panthers because of a lower-body issue.

• The Flyers are off Sunday, practice at 11:30 a.m. Monday in Voorhees, New Jersey and host the Blue Jackets Tuesday (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

Click here to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.

More on the Flyers