After two periods, the Philadelphia Flyers were back in a familiar position this season. Tie game, win a period, win a game. But just as they did in the previous eight games, the result was not on their side.

A goal with 4:38 to go in the third period proved to be the difference in a 2-1 loss to the Detroit Red WIngs, sending the Flyers to a ninth straight defeat on Thursday night at Little Caesars Arena.

How It Happened

For just the second time this season, the Flyers scored the first goal of the game. With 2:28 left in the first period, a shot by Travis Sanheim was deflected in front of the net and bounced to Matvei Michkov, who batted it in from the side of the net for his third goal of the season.

Through 20 minutes, shots were 9-5 Detroit.

Just seconds after a Flyers power play in the second, the Red Wings tied the game. Anton Johansson joined a two-on-one from out of the box and scored on a Dylan Larkin pass for his first NHL goal a 4:31.

Through two periods, shots were 19-11 Detroit.

In the third, just as the Flyers were seeming to grab some positive momentum, they gave up the eventual game-winning goal. Andrew Copp cleaned up a loose puck in front for his first goal of the season to make it 2-1.

The Flyers took a penalty with 1:29 to play to essentially ice the game.

Box Score1st PeriodPHI Matvei Michkov (3) (Unassisted) 17:322nd Period3rd PeriodBy the NumbersShots: Flyers: 18, Red Wings: 26Power Play: Flyers: 0-for-2, Red Wings: 0-for-4Faceoffs: Flyers: 53.3%, Red Wings: 46.7%Goalies: PHI Joseph Woll: 24 saves on 26 shots, DET Daniil Tarasov: 17 saves on 18 shotsKey Performers

⭐ Andrew Copp — Scored the game-winning goal being around the net to pick up the loose change as the Flyers were discombobulated in their own zone.

⭐⭐ Anton Johansson — An eventful game for the rookie with multiple trips to the penalty box, but his first NHL goal evened up the game.

⭐⭐⭐ Matvei Michkov — Clearly the Flyers best player, and not just because he scored a goal. Michkov seemed to make something happen every time he touched the puck, certainly more than what his teammates are able to accomplish.

The Takeaway

The struggle continues for the Flyers with nine straight defeats to open the season, and this was like so many before it. Everything is off with this team. It’s ugly. It’s lazy. It’s soft. It’s frustrating. It’s embarrassing. Use all of the adjectives you want. They all apply.

The Flyers have a real problem in front of them. Forget about bouncing back or re-entering the playoff race at some point. The math may say it’s possible. The eyes will tell you it’s absolutely not. Not playing like this. Not lacking this much chemistry. No making the kind of stupid mistakes they are making regularly.

It’s becoming safer and safer to say that it’s going to be a long season, because there just seems to be no end in sight for any of this.

Up Next

The Flyers get back on home ice on Saturday night against the Ottawa Senators at 7 PM.

Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN. Follow him on social media @Kevin_Durso.

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