Flyers Fall in Shootout to Florida, 5-4

The optimist can find solace in the performance of the Philadelphia Flyers (32-23-12) during Saturday’s 5-5 shootout loss to the host Florida Panthers (38-21-9). Yes, the team did claim what could become a crucial point in the standings as Philly remained just two points out of the Eastern Conference’s second wild card spot (the Panthers sit third in the conference). And, yes, things could have finished much worse had Shayne Gostisbehere not tied the game at 4-4 with his 15th goal of the season at 18:04 of the third. For the pessimist, however, this is the type of game that will be remembered should a playoff spot not be secured at the end of the season. Philadelphia held one-goal leads in both the second and third periods. Florida netted two goals in just over one minute of play midway through the third before the Ghost got the late equalizer. Nick Cousins, Ryan White and Michael Raffl also scored goals for the Flyers. Steve Mason stopped 25 of 29 shots in net. For more on this game, click here.