The Philadelphia Flyers opened their season against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night. However, the game did not go as they planned. Head coach Rick Tocchet watched as the Flyers were torn apart by the Penguins on home ice.
The Penguins destroyed the Flyers by the score of 7-0 on Wednesday. Nick Robertson was one of five Pittsburgh skaters with a multi-point game. From top to bottom, it was a brutal way to begin the season for Philadelphia. Tocchet was quite clear with his disappointment after the game.
“I honestly don't have an answer. I don't think we won a battle. They outcoached us, they outplayed us, they did everything better tonight… There were alarming things out there… Since I’ve been here, that’s the worst defense I’ve seen,” Tocchet said, via local reporter Wayne Fish.
Article Continues BelowThe Flyers went down quite early in this game. They allowed two goals in the first period to put them in an early hole. Pittsburgh then added three goals in the second, and another two in the final period of play.
There certainly may have been some added motivation for Pittsburgh in this game. The Flyers eliminated the Penguins from the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season. Pittsburgh likely hasn't forgotten and channeled some of that into this performance.
For the Flyers, things certainly need to change sooner rather than later. This performance is unacceptable, even if it's just one game in a long 84-game season. The Flyers will go look to bounce back on Thursday when they take on the New Jersey Devils.

