GLENDALE, Ariz. — More than 45 minutes after one of the most disheartening losses of the season, Flyers captain Claude Giroux finally finished going through the NHL’s concussion protocol and faced reporters.
“I feel pretty good,” Giroux said. “We'll see how things go. We'll know more [Sunday].”
It was that kind of night for the Flyers in the desert. The winning goal was scored when goaltender Steve Mason’s chin strap was covering his eyes, before Giroux took a nasty hit into the boards and the Flyers lost, 2-1, to the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday night despite a 35-17 edge in shots (see Instant Replay).
“They’re a non-playoff team, a Western Conference team," defenseman Brandon Manning said. "I think you want to take advantage of that."
The Flyers instead stayed tied for the final playoff spot with Detroit, which lost earlier to Pittsburgh, 7-2 (see NHL wrap). The Flyers fell four points behind the Islanders for the top wild-card spot after New York beat Carolina, 4-3, in overtime (see wild-card standings).
The winning goal withstood two video reviews and left Mason dumbfounded (see highlights).
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With Arizona leading 1-0, Manning bumped Max Domi in front of the net. Domi’s arm hit Mason’s mask. Mason then never saw Michael Stone’s point shot whip by him as the clock ran out in the second period.
“My mask came pushed off to the side and my chin guard got up in my line of sight,” Mason, starting for the 10th time in 11 games, said. “I couldn’t see a thing. I didn’t have enough time to get it adjusted to see.”
Mason tugged at his mask in protest as the referees went to first check on the time. It was determined the goal came with 0.5 seconds left.
Coach Dave Hakstol then issued a coach’s challenge for goaltender interference, but after another review, the goal stood.
The explanation?
“I didn’t get any,” Mason said. “I’m not sure their reasoning. But I couldn’t see a thing out of the mask.”
Then things got testy in the final period. Arizona captain Shane Doan, who scored the first goal on the power play earlier in the second period to end the Flyers' penalty-kill streak at 19, staggered off the ice after Radko Gudas hit him and then took an elbow that landed his head into the boards.
Martin Hanzal came back with one hand that sent an off balance Giroux headfirst into the boards. Wayne Simmonds immediately went after Hanzal, leading to a lengthy melee, a 10-minute misconduct for Simmonds and Giroux going straight to the dressing room.
“When somebody goes after our captain, that’s usually what happens,” Hanzal said.
The ensuing power play produced Sean Couturier’s goal with 40 seconds left, but there wasn’t enough time for the equalizer on a night where Arizona’s Mike Smith was spectacular in making 34 saves.
“It was competitive. It was emotional,” Hakstol said. “But our sole focus is to take the time to work and we didn’t quite get it done.”
The Flyers will head home Sunday morning after a 2-1-1 road trip with a home game against Winnipeg next on Monday.
Detroit’s loss means they still hold the tiebreaker because the Flyers have a game in hand.
They can only hope this odd loss won’t come back to haunt them.
“Disappointing end to the road trip,” Hakstol said. “But overall it was a good road trip and a small step forward.”