NEW YORK - Goodbye, New York. Hello, Switzerland.
The Flyers suffered a 2-1 shootout loss to the Rangers Thursday night at Madison Square Garden in their sixth preseason game out of seven.
Next up is Europe.
The Flyers' roster is at 27 players and needs to be down to a maximum of 23 by next Tuesday at 5 p.m. With injuries, the Flyers' roster decisions are becoming somewhat easier.
Let's get into observations from the sixth exhibition game:
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• Joel Farabee just looks like he belongs. His size really hasn't been a factor and his effort is often second to none.
During the second period, he got knocked on his butt in front, hopped right back up and continued to look for a shot to deflect.
The winger has done everything this preseason but score. Farabee has been robbed on a number of chances, including Henrik Lundqvist turning away the 19-year-old with a lunging save to elicit a "Hen-rik" chant during the middle frame.
Farabee also rung two posts and was active throughout.
Alain Vigneault said he would be surprised if Joel Farabee is not in #Flyers' opening night lineup.— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) September 27, 2019
• Kevin Hayes returned to Madison Square Garden and notched an assist by slinging a pass off the skate of Travis Konecny for a second-period goal.
Hayes has been superb this preseason. Konecny has two goals in three exhibition games.
• Philippe Myers played well. Thanks to his mobility, he kept up with a forward and broke up a chance during the second period. He's looked better his last two games.
"I think he's been no different than a lot of guys," Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher said before the game. "I don't think he's on top of his game right now but I thought last game he was particularly good defending. I thought he had a good stick. I thought he did some really good things 1-on-1.
"It's obvious that his puck play could be a little bit better but that's not unusual this time of the year."
• Robert Hagg didn't look good on the Rangers' first goal. He was screening Carter Hart in front and then a shot from the point clanged off the defenseman's leg, leading to the goal. Lias Andersson put it home as Myers, to the left of Hagg, got caught watching a bit.
Both Hagg and Myers are competing for a spot in the season-opening lineup. And credit to Samuel Morin, who performed nicely Thursday night and was a plus-1.
• Hart allowed the goal that really wasn't his fault. He has stopped 56 of 57 shots through the preseason. He denied two of the three shootout attempts.
Hart's sharpness might be the team's most refreshing development of the preseason.
• The first period was chippy. Sean Couturier and Scott Laughton both dropped the gloves, while Konecny got feisty battling in front of the net.
Things you love to see:
This. pic.twitter.com/pcaoqKDM0c— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) September 26, 2019
• Nolan Patrick on Thursday was diagnosed with a migraine disorder. Here's a look at the development/treatment and how the Flyers will adjust down the middle.
• Connor Bunnaman could be key in helping the Flyers get by through the early stages of Patrick's absence. When Fletcher was asked if Bunnaman could center the club's fourth line, he responded: "Absolutely."
"He's been the best player in training camp," Fletcher said. "He was outstanding in the practices. His first game wasn't great, but he's gotten better and better and better. By best player, I mean in terms of expectations. He's come in and blown them away."
Bunnaman and Carsen Twarynski have become important pieces to open the year.
• Chris Stewart, with the Flyers on a pro tryout, will accompany the team to Europe but no decision has been made on if they'll sign the 31-year-old forward.
• The Flyers fly out to Switzerland Friday night ahead of its preseason finale next Monday against HC Lausanne (2 p.m./NBCSP+).
They open the regular season next Friday against the Blackhawks in Prague, Czech Republic (2 p.m./NBCSP).
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