Flyers grit out 2-1 win over the Caps. Philadelphia got big games from some new faces in besting the Washington Capitals. The Caps (5-2-4) were without Anthony Mantha, Niklas Backstrom, and T.J. Ossie. In addition, the Flyers (6-2-2) held Alex Ovechkin pointless for just the second game this season.
TO THE ACTION
Washington came out listless and Vitek Vanek kept them in the game with a 12 save period. Martin Jones stopped the six tries the Caps had to end the scoreless stanza.
PERIOD TWO
Vanek would make it 16 straight saves before Derick Brassard beat him with a rocket writer. Brassard’s second of the season was set up by Cam Atkinson and Justin Braun at the 11:18 mark. Philly kept the pressure on when at, 15:44, Sean Couturier slammed home another to provide a 2 goal advantage. Rasmus Ristolainen, playing his best game of the season, picked up his first Flyers assist and 200th of his career with Claude Giroux getting the secondary.
NOW WHAT?
Washington, clearly in panic mode were a different team in the final stanza. Firing 14 shots, the Caps were all over Jones and finally got on the board at the 6:02 mark with rookie, Brett Leason getting his second with help from Connor McMichael and John Carlson.
“They had a strong push in the third,” Philadelphia coach Alain Vigneault said. “Throughout the game, we were playing tight the way we needed to and we had good sticks, and we were making the plays the way we needed to. … I thought we carried most of the play in the third.”
The Flyers defense and the stout goaltending of Jones took over and held on. “In the first two periods, they didn’t have really many grade-A chances,” Jones said. “When you’re down two goals in the third you’re going to funnel some pucks to the net. I thought we did a great job. PK was really good again. We did a great job around the net.” Philly picked up 3 of a possible 4 points in the mini road trip.
INSIDE THE GAME
Philly did not allow Washington to score in three different advantages. The Flyers were scoreless on their only attempt. After notching three power-play goals against the Rangers, Washington is 4 for 34 for a lowly 11.7 %. Jones and Vanacek each faced 32 shots with Jones stopping 31. Coming into this season, one of the questions surrounding the Flyers was goaltending. Last season, the team had a save percentage of .883.
Fast forward and Carter Hart is sitting on a .926 and a bigger story, Jones moves to 3-0 having stopped 95 of the 100 fired at him for an astounding .950! Face-offs were fairly even with Philly having a 27-24 edge. Claude Giroux had 8 wins with Scott Laughton and Sean Couturier each having 6. Giroux and Couturier each have 12 points in their 10 games. Flyers grit out 2-1 win over the Caps.
Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.
Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.
A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.
