Vigneault says Flyers' top-end guys must improve after Game 3 loss

Philadelphia Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault was critical of his star players after they failed to pack any offensive punch in a Game 3 loss against the New York Islanders.

"We need to be a lot better than we were tonight, especially our top-end guys," Vigneault said, according to Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

After jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the first period, the Flyers took their foot off the gas and fell into the Islanders' stout defensive trap. Philly only produced eight high-danger chances and 1.59 expected goals at five-on-five in the eventual 3-1 defeat, according to Natural Stat Trick.

Vigneault was particularly displeased with how Leo Komarov's second-period game-winner transpired.

"It was 1-1, 25 seconds left in the period, faceoff in the offensive zone - I put my top players on the ice ... and to give up that late goal, you just can't do that at this time of the year," he said, per Adam Kimelman of NHL.com.

The Flyers have struggled offensively the entire series and were shut out in Game 1. Much of the blame is falling on their big guns, as star forwards Claude Giroux, Travis Konecny, Sean Couturier, and Jakub Voracek combined for just four points in the three contests.

For Giroux, the playoff drought extends well beyond this series. He's collected just one goal and nine assists over his last 25 postseason games. The captain hopes he and his teammates can reverse their fortunes.

"Guys are frustrated," Giroux said, according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox. "We've got to take that frustration and bring it as energy."

The Flyers boasted the league's seventh-most prolific offense in the regular season, and they'll need to rediscover their old form quickly, as they trail the series 2-1 heading into a critical Game 4 on Sunday night.

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