The Philadelphia Flyers met the Washington Capitals within the second of back-to-back video games on Wednesday, the place a 6-3 loss was a irritating continuation of their struggles, however it wasn’t with out some indicators of life.
Regardless of falling behind 4-0 within the second interval, the Flyers mounted a reasonably spirited comeback earlier than issues unraveled once more late within the sport. With the crew on a now-six-game dropping streak, this efficiency at the very least provided glimpses of struggle and resilience, regardless that inconsistent goaltending and offensive efforts nonetheless falling brief at many alternatives nonetheless hindered their probabilities.
Gradual Begins
One of many Flyers’ greatest issues all through their present dropping streak has been their incapacity to start out video games with depth and self-discipline, and that development continued towards Washington.
The Capitals have been in a position to rating their first purpose throughout the first 5 minutes of the sport, and the Flyers fell behind 4-0 by the second interval, largely as a result of defensive breakdowns and sloppy play in their very own zone.
Defensive lapses put the Flyers on the again foot early and positioned huge strain on Ivan Fedotov (who undoubtedly was already feeling a lot as a result of intense criticism of his NHL performances to this point). Make no mistake, Fedotov made some key saves and regarded considerably higher as the sport went on, however the incapacity to hit the bottom operating compelled the Flyers into an sadly acquainted place: chasing the sport from a deep deficit.
Name It A Comeback
Regardless of the poor begin, the Flyers confirmed a degree of resilience and willpower that has been lacking in current video games. Travis Konecny ignited the comeback, displaying his scoring contact that has made him the Flyers’ most constantly harmful offensive participant the previous few seasons. Owen Tippett, who had been struggling to seek out the again of the web, adopted swimsuit, breaking by way of with a much-needed second purpose to chop the deficit in half.
However Matvei Michkov’s purpose was probably the most talked-about second of the evening (who would’ve guessed?). His purpose was a factor of magnificence—a exact snipe that beat Capitals goalie Logan Thompson cleanly and showcased his elite scoring prowess.
The comeback, though it finally ended up falling brief, confirmed that this crew has coronary heart and might create offense when their finest gamers are engaged. Nevertheless, the problem stays in sustaining that degree of depth for a full 60 minutes.
Empty Web Heartbreakers
The wind fully left the Flyers’ sails within the third interval, when head coach John Tortorella pulled Ivan Fedotov, choosing an early empty web in an try to spark a late rally. Sadly, the technique backfired, and Capitals shortly fired off two empty-net targets to seal their 6-3 victory.
Fedotov’s efficiency had been uneven, however pulling him that early with the sport nonetheless inside attain felt untimely—and maybe underscores the strain the teaching employees is underneath to seek out solutions because the dropping streak drags on.
The transfer could have been an try to shake issues up (one thing Tortorella has not shied away from in these first seven video games), however it ended up additional deflating a Flyers crew that had proven actual indicators of life within the second and third intervals.
The Flyers subsequent outing might be again at house for a 1 p.m. puck drop towards the Minnesota Wild on Oct. 26.
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