Maple Leafs 6, Flyers 0: Goalie problems flare up in embarrassing shutout

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The Flyers simply can’t compete against the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

Three nights after the Flyers spotted the Buffalo Sabres a 4-0 first-period lead, the Toronto Maple Leafs duplicated that with a four-goal first-period Saturday night.

That was all that was needed as the Flyers were shut out, 6-0, by the Leafs.

Andreas Johnsson recorded a hat trick in the first 12:20 of the game.

• It's becoming clear that the Flyers don’t have the necessary structure and discipline in their overall game to play consistent, successful hockey. The Maple Leafs transitioned better than any team the Flyers had faced this season. I could pick apart and isolate certain defensemen and forwards, but as a collective unit, it was all miserably bad.  

• Calvin Pickard looked completely lost after the second goal and I was wondering how long Dave Hakstol would leave him in.  Of all the goals Pickard allowed against the Maple Leafs, this is the most problematic of why his overaggressiveness is a liability and his positioning, at times, is all over the place. Pickard is good for a start or two but certainly not capable of sustained success.

• You have to wonder if Pickard felt some nerves returning to Toronto, facing former teammate Garret Sparks. Together, they won a Calder Cup championship with the Marlies.

• To prove the Flyers had no response after a disastrous first period, there wasn’t a single moment where they controlled play and continued to manufacture turnovers from their blue line. Shayne Gostisbehere gave the puck away a couple of times and misplayed the Leafs' fifth goal. In all, Toronto put 20 shots on Anthony Stolarz in a second period where the Flyers showed no desire. Hard to believe the Flyers didn’t commit a single penalty in this game either.

• Credit Stolarz for coming in off the bench and making some big saves on some odd-man rushes in the first period. Stolarz wasn’t nearly as erratic in net as Pickard was, moved well at times and showed some calmness to his game. Since the goaltending is in such a disastrous state, why not start Stolarz Tuesday against the Senators?

• The Flyers' top line and top defense pairing was a combined minus-15, even as the Maple Leafs' top line of John Tavares, Mitch Marner and Zach Hyman was relatively silent.

Tavares finished with a goal and Marner added a pair of assists.

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