Tiredness & Old Habits Doom The Flyers Against Metro’s Best

The Philadelphia Flyers lost to the Washington Capitals, 5-3, Wednesday night at the Wells Fargo Center. After falling behind early, the much better Capitals never looked back.




With the score 5-0 Washington and under a minute left in the 2nd period, Phil Myers started the possible comeback for the Flyers. Myers scored off the rush for his first in the NHL.

 

Captain Claude Giroux would give the Flyers hope. Scoring just 10 seconds into the 3rd period. But, it would be a hill too tall to climb. Scott Laughton would redirect home an Andrew MacDonald shot for the Flyers other goal.

 

Brian Elliott was pulled from the game after giving up 4 goals on 19 shots. Cam Talbot would stop 15 of the 16 shots he faced in relief of Elliott.

 

Here are 4 more observations from the Flyers 5-3 loss to the Capitals…




Back To Old Habits

At the beginning of the season, the Flyers struggled with playing a flat first two periods. Then, flipped a switch and would make it a game in the 3rd period. This is something the Flyers haven’t done in awhile. Really since the start of the new year.

 

Tonight, after getting behind, the Flyers fell back into their old roots and tried to comeback in the final twenty minutes of the game. However, just like all the other times earlier in the season, the Flyers couldn’t complete the comeback.

 

In a time where it seems everyone around them in the standings is getting points every night, the Flyers got none. Any small hope the Flyers had of the playoffs may have left with the Metro Division leading Washington  Capitals tonight.

 

With the Flyers needing every point they can get, tonight showed how key it is to play a 60-minute game. A big reason why the Flyers are in the position they are in right now is because of these slow starts and 20-minute efforts.




Big Difference In Talent

There is a reason the Capitals won the Stanley Cup. They are fast, fundamentally sound, and are just a good hockey team. Tonight, that same hockey team showed why the Flyers are a long way away from that point.

 

With the Flyers missing two of their top forwards, the Capitals took advantage on all levels. Whether that was the power-play or winning the bottom six battle, the Capitals were just better.

 

In the absence of Patrick and Voracek, the Flyers went with 11F / 7D again. Something that normally allows rest to the defense. Well, going with 11F / 7D for the third time in their last five games, the forwards showed they were the ones that were tired.

 

In a game of inches, you can’t give up just even a little. The Capitals saw this and used it to their advantage. Getting a goal from all four lines against a tired Flyers forward group.




Phil Myers Gets His First

Phil Myers has done nothing but impress all season. After starting the season in the AHL, Myers shined and earned his call-up to the Flyers. A call-up that saw him sit the first 4 games of his NHL career. But, since Myers has entered the line-up, he has yet to leave it.

 

Myers got his first career point on an assist back February 26 against the Sabres. Tonight, Myers crossed off another first scoring his first career goal.

 

 

After Myers setup Giroux to contribute to his first point, Giroux repaid the favor and setup Myers for his first career goal.




Bad Time To Be Injured

One thing the Flyers can’t afford right now is injuries. Tonight, they were missing two of their top two forwards. Jake Voracek missed his second straight game and Nolan Patrick did not play for precautionary reasons.

 

Jake Voracek missed Sunday’s game against the Islanders with an unknown injury. Voracek then underwent a MRI on Monday. But, Voracek has yet to see the ice since Saturday’s practice and has yet to really have any exact diagnosis announced.

 

Nolan Patrick was hit in the side of the head on Sunday by a puck. The puck broke Patrick’s shield and caused a pretty big laceration according to interim head coach Scott Gordon. Patrick skated on his own this morning and was a game-time decision for tonight’s game.

 

However, Patrick sat for precautionary reasons and you could tell his force was missed against a much faster and better Washington Capitals team.




Result : Flyers 3 – Capitals 5, LOSS

Record : 32 – 27 – 8

Next Game : 3/9 New York Islanders, Long Island NY, NBCSports Philadelphia 7:00pm



By Brandon Sommermann | March 6, 2019