SUNRISE, Fla. — The Flyers helped another team open their home schedule Saturday but the results were very different.
After an impressive effort in Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss in Tampa in which goalie Steve Mason shined, he was shelled Saturday night at BB&T Center during a 7-1 mauling to the Panthers.
Mason gave up four goals on the first eight shots he faced and was chased for Michal Neuvirth. Neuvirth wasn’t supposed to play for a while.
Jaromir Jagr scored two goals, giving him 724 for his career. He needs seven more to tie Marcel Dionne (731) for fourth all-time. Reilly Smith also had two goals.
Both of Jagr's goals came against Neuvirth.
Notable goals
A bad rebound to start the game allowed Vincent Trocheck (four points) an easy goal at 1:23. Then a power-play slapper from Nick Bjugstad three minutes later. Smith got a clean angle to get around Nick Schultz and tossed the puck into the far side to make it 3-0 at 5:46. Finally, Mason capped off his night by mishandling the puck behind the net and the result was a near empty-netter for Jussi Jokinen, which made it 4-0.
NHL
Dubious record
Florida’s fourth goal at 6:46 represented a new opponent record for fastest four-goal deficit by the Flyers, according to Elias Sports Bureau. The previous mark was 7:13 by the Islanders on Jan. 30, 1986.
Goalie report
This might have been Mason’s worst game of his career. Until tonight, everything about him suggested he was dialed in on the season and ready for big things. He played very well in Tampa, too. Roberto Luongo may be 36, but he looked years younger with a couple of shorthanded saves on Scott Laughton and Claude Giroux in the second period.
Power play
The Flyers had some good chances late in the second period trailing, 5-1. If they had gotten a goal there, maybe they would have climbed back into it. Their lone power-play goal came in the second period on Mark Streit’s shot from the point.
Penalty kill
It was horrible and reminiscent of last season when it hovered between 27th and 30th in the NHL. Florida scored quickly and easily on back-to-back power plays in the opening minutes of the game. They had three in this game. That’s four power-play goals against in two games, which should put the Flyers near the bottom of the league. One of Reilly’s goals was a 5-on-3.
Fights
Shawn Thornton won a narrow decision over Ryan White in the first period. There were several near fights and scrums later. The Flyers lost all their composure and discipline by the third period as things deteriorated badly.
Scratches
Same as Tampa. Defenseman Radko Gudas and forwards Sam Gagner and Vinny Lecavalier. All healthy.
Up next
These same Panthers will be at the Wells Fargo Center on Monday night for the Flyers' home opener.
It will mark the first time former Flyers president Peter Luukko returns to his old arena with a new team.