The Flyers were in Washington tonight to face the Capitals. It’s been a rough ride as of late for the ice cold Flyers who’s record in the last eight games mirrors the exact opposite of the red hot Caps, 1-7 vs 7-1.
The Flyers held their own in the opening period splitting attack zone time very close to even against a far superior team. Samuel Ersson passed his first few tests in the net and the Flyers created a few good chances right out of the gate. Abols, Couturier, and Michkov all had strong efforts denied by Washington goaltender Charlie Lindgren.
Part of history
There was just one goal in the 1st period and of course it was scored by Alexander Ovechkin. #8 scored #888 of his NHL career 14:45 into the 1st period putting himself just 6 goals away from Wayne Gretzky’s all time record of 894. Only one player in NHL history has scored more goals against the Philadelphia Flyers all time than Ovechkin. That guy plays for the Penguins and wears #87.
Fun Facts: Even if Gretzky had never scored a goal he would still hold the record for most overall career points in the NHL. That’s because Gretzky notched 1,963 career assists. Jaromir Jagr holds 2nd place in all time NHL career points with 1,921. Compare that to “The Great One’s” 2,857. Ovechkin is at 1,607.
The Capitals began to exercise their advantage over the Flyers scoring two unanswered goals in the 2nd period. Brandon Duhaime deflected one past Ersson at 1:56. Andrew Mangiapane’s snap shot made the score 3-1 in Washington’s favor 11:06 into the middle period.
Scoring drought
The 2nd period came to a close with Nick Seeler having words with Tom Wilson as time ran out on the 9th consecutive scoreless period for the Flyers.
The Flyers scoreless string finally came to an end when Ryan Poehling put forth a great individual effort to get himself in front of the Caps net with the puck. While Poehling was pulling the puck from forehand to backhand on the doorstep Washington defenseman Jakob Chychrun knocked the puck in long-side past his own goaltender.
John Carlson seemed to have restored the Caps three goal lead less than two minutes later. Flyers head coach John Tortorella called for a timeout. Torts then mounted a successful coach’s challenge resulting in the goal being called back due to a hand pass.
Strong finish
Midway through the third the Flyers were outshooting the Caps 7-1 for the period. The Flyers were creating chances but could not get the deed done. Lindgren robbed Konecny point blank. Moments later Sean Couturier and Konecny broke into the Capitals zone 2-on-0 but no go. Couturier made the pass to Konecny who missed on the shot. Konecny remains the Flyers top scorer with 65 points (22G-43A) despite scoring just one goal in the last 23 games.
The Flyers put forth a great effort in the final period outshooting the Caps 17-2. Sean Couturier cut the Washington lead to one goal with 2:36 left in the game. Coots pushed the rebound from a Ryan Poehling shot along with Lindgren’s blocker into the net. The initial call on the ice was no goal due to goaltender interference.
Tortorella again challenged the play. After review the goal was allowed and the Flyers were within a goal, 3-2. John Tortorella was having quite an impact on the score sheet in this match.
Samuel Ersson was pulled in exchange for the extra skater. There was about three minutes left in the game and we got to see Ovechkin on the ice for a whole lot of it.
The Flyers did a good job of maintaining possession but could not find the tying goal. As time was running out Travis Konecny unleashed a rocket from the slot that soared just over the crossbar and Washington managed to survive the Flyers 3rd period onslaught to win the game.
The win put the Capitals at 100 points on the season as they completed their first ever season sweep of the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers 28-34-8 are in last place in the Metropolitan Division with 64 points. There are only four teams in the entire league with less points than the Flyers.
Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store
