Philadelphia fell 4-1 to the Lightning, dropping to 0-2-2 on the season and leaving Tampa Bay with another game where generating offense proved to be a major issue.
Tampa Bay opened the scoring late in the first period when Brayden Point beat Dan Vladar at 16:05, with Nikita Kucherov and John Carlson picking up assists.
Pontus Holmberg extended Tampa Bay's lead to 2-0 just 17 seconds into the next period, assisted by Ilya Mikheyev and Zemgus Girgensons.
The Flyers finally answered at a few minutes later. Tyson Foerster put the Flyers on the board, finishing a play from Sean Couturier and Nick Seeler to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Mikheyev eventually put Tampa Bay up 3-1 with three minutes remaining in regulation before Brandon Hagel added an empty-net goal to seal the 4-1 victory.
The lack of shots is becoming a significant concern for the Flyers. Philadelphia entered the game averaging just 20.7 shots per game, 29th in the NHL, while also sitting at 0% on the power play.
The Flyers went 0-for-2 with the man advantage, continuing a frustrating start for a unit that needs to become a source of offense rather than another area where Philadelphia struggles to create chances.
A team can't consistently win games when it is being outshot, failing to establish sustained offensive-zone pressure and coming away empty-handed on the power play. The third period against Tampa Bay made that especially clear. The Flyers look defeated. Ironically, it's been less than a week since the start of the season, and the Flyers don't look motivated at all.
Philadelphia needs more urgency, more shots and more offensive-zone time. The Flyers have to find a way to make opposing goaltenders work, and until then, the team simply won't get in the win column.
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