The Philadelphia Flyers opened their 2026 pre-season against the Capitals at the Bears arena in Hershey. Lots of prospects getting a chance to make an impression on both squads.
The Flyers got their first power-play opportunity less than two minutes into the game. Jett Luchanko was moving the puck around the o-zone nicely with his trademark precision passing. The Flyers broke the seal scoring their first goal on the power-play. Jack Studnicka from Knuble and Luchanko 2:42 into the contest.
Studnicka had another nice chance going in off a stretch pass moments later. Jack likes to shoot the puck. He created a few nice chances during the period.
Flyers goaltender Joseph Woll made a key save against Ryan Leonard who came in all alone. Oliver Bonk picked up a penalty for taking a desperation slash at him from behind on his way in. The Flyers first PK was successful.
Garrett Wilson and Dylan McIlrath dropped the gloves each earning 5, Noah Powell gave the Caps the man advantage with an “unsportsmanlike conduct”. Simon Benoit was called for delay of game and Washington ended up with a 5-on-3 power-play.
Woll made a few tricky saves before Aliaksei Protas was credited with a fluky goal that went off Woll’s glove and in over his head. 1-1.
With just 41.3 seconds left in the opening period Ryan Leonard snapped one short-side high-glove from the dot. 2-1 Caps. The 1st period ended with the Capitals holding a 11-7 shot advantage over the visiting Flyers.
2nd Period
Things leveled off a bit at the start of the middle period. At 8:06 Wilson fired a slapper from the point that found Cole Knuble on the doorstep for the redirection. Oliver Bonk picked up the secondary assist. Exactly halfway through the tilt the score was tied at two, as were the SOGs at 14. Even Steven.
5 Minute Major
With just over 7 minutes left in the period Hunter McDonald delivered a monster check crushing Ryan Leonard into the side boards. Washington’s Andrew Cristall decided to take mattersw into his own hands. He chose to end his night with some dirty stickwork. A two-hander to the head of McDonald that earned him a 5 minute major for cross-checking and the rest of the night off.
Flyers 5 Minute Power-Play
It’s a whole new bunch of guys. New season, everything is brand new right now. Right? There’s no logical reason for the mundane man-advantage to linger over to yet another group. The Flyers power-play was rock bottom in the league last season. The fresh start Flyers made it 3 minutes into this golden opportunity with one shot on goal.
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They finally put some power into the play, a cluster of shots towards the net in the final seconds. The 5 minute man advantage ended with Flyers netminder Joseph Woll making a huge blocker save on a breakaway.
Gotta Play till the Horn
With just 1:43 left in the 2nd period the Flyers muffed a line change allowing the Caps to enter with numbers. Dylan Strome beat Woll short side high glove.
The Flyers were really close to getting out of the period with a tied score. After not capitalizing on a major power-play they allowed things to come apart just as they did at the end of the 1st period. 3-2 Caps.
Third Period
As planned the Flyers put Carson Bjarnason between the pipes for the final period. Washington had already swopped out goalies at the midway point of the game.
A breakdown in the Flyers d-zone allowed Jonny Brodzinski to fire a shot from dead center slot completely uncontested. The shot beat Bjarnason high glove side ringing loudly off the iron on its way home. 4-2 Washington.
Sorry, I know it’s just pre-season but I owe it to you to “tell it like it is” just the same. Midway through the period the Flyers again went on the power-play. Halfway through the man advantage they notched their first shot on goal of the period.
The power-play ended with the Capitals playing keep-away with the puck in the Flyers end and eventually scoring a short-handed goal. Jonny Brodzinski again with a high-riser beating the glove, this time from the long side with 9:45 remaining in regulation. 5-2 Caps.
At this point the Flyers were already beaten. Or at least they were playing like they believed that they were. It was a bust. Guys were unsuccessfully attempting to go it alone and getting nowhere with that approach. They registered just two shots on goal in the 3rd period.
The Flyers squad allowed the game plan to fall apart when the chips were down. It will be interesting to see how this is addressed in the morning when Training Camp resumes. I’ll keep you posted.
Next Up: The Flyers will be in Boston to face the Bruins at 7:00 PM Tuesday night.
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