The Flyers won a nail-biter tonight. It shouldn't have been that way, as they led 4-1 going into the third, but Washington took advantage of some power play chances to bring it back to 5-4 with 6 minutes left. Ultimately the Flyers held on for a 6-4 win and a win in the season series versus the Capitals 3-1-1.
The Capitals only got off 8 shots on goal in the first 2 periods. They turned the tides with 17 in the third, but the Flyers dominated control of the puck in the first 2 periods. Washington excelled on their power plays, going 3 for 4. Joel Ward, Brooks Laich and Alex Ovechkin all registered goals on the man-advantage. For Ovechkin it was his league leading 44th. Troy Brouwer scored the only non-power play goal for the Caps. (side note: my Caps fan friends call him the Brouwer Ranger, I can appreciate a nickname like that)
Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek both scored in the first period to make it 2-0 at the first break. They then each scored again later, Giroux in the 2nd, Voracek in the third. The Flyers other goal scorers included Michael Raffl, who rebounded well a few minutes after a rough hit from Ovechkin, and Steve Downie, whose empty netter from the opposite blue line sealed the game. Raffl's goal was assisted by Andrew MacDonald, his first point as a Flyer. Don't look now, he has a point in 100% of his Flyers games!
Brayden Holtby was pulled after the score reached 4-0. His replacement (and collecter of first name P's), Philipp Grubauer, performed much better, saving 10 of 11. Mason's numbers weren't stellar, 21 of 25, but good enough for a win.
After a hard hit on Ryan Stoa, Luke Schenn was confronted by Tom Wilson, which led to a full-on line brawl. John Erskine and Vinny Lecavalier got tossed.
Side note: Grubauer was called up from Hershey and had to skip out on an appearance at Turkey Hill in Lancaster, PA. Hey Turkey Hill, we'll send you Ray Emery, he's better anyway.
The Flyers are now winners of 7 of their last 8 and head to Toronto to take on JVR and the boys on Saturday.
-Ben Lebo
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek both scored in the first period to make it 2-0 at the first break. They then each scored again later, Giroux in the 2nd, Voracek in the third. The Flyers other goal scorers included Michael Raffl, who rebounded well a few minutes after a rough hit from Ovechkin, and Steve Downie, whose empty netter from the opposite blue line sealed the game. Raffl's goal was assisted by Andrew MacDonald, his first point as a Flyer. Don't look now, he has a point in 100% of his Flyers games!
Brayden Holtby was pulled after the score reached 4-0. His replacement (and collecter of first name P's), Philipp Grubauer, performed much better, saving 10 of 11. Mason's numbers weren't stellar, 21 of 25, but good enough for a win.
After a hard hit on Ryan Stoa, Luke Schenn was confronted by Tom Wilson, which led to a full-on line brawl. John Erskine and Vinny Lecavalier got tossed.
Side note: Grubauer was called up from Hershey and had to skip out on an appearance at Turkey Hill in Lancaster, PA. Hey Turkey Hill, we'll send you Ray Emery, he's better anyway.
The Flyers are now winners of 7 of their last 8 and head to Toronto to take on JVR and the boys on Saturday.
-Ben Lebo
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat