The Flyers gained 2 much needed points in today's matinee game against the Washington Capitals. Jakub Voracek scored to stay in first-place (tied with Kane) in the NHL points race, but Steve Mason was injured in the process.
After an uneventful first period that saw both teams combine for only 13 shots, the second is where all the action started for both sides. Mark Streit put the Flyers up 1 in the first minute with a slapshot from the top of the zone that deflected off Brooks Orpik. At first the goal was awarded to Brayden Schenn, but that was soon reversed as he was not the one to deflect it.
During a long media timeout Steve Mason got injured simply stretching by the boards. It was an odd sight to witness. Could be a back spasm, maybe a knee injury, Mason has had history with both so we'll have to wait and see.
Because of the Mason injury Ray Emery was forced to step in during a 5-on-3 power play. Razor is known for his weak point being side-to-side movement in the net. Compound that with the fact that he had no time to warm-up it was almost a certainty that the Capitals were going to score on the power play, which happened when Alex Ovechkin blasted the puck past Emery's shoulder from the left circle.
The third period was all Flyers though. Wayne Simmonds scored his team leading 19th goal of the season four minutes into the period. After controlling the puck entering the zone the Wayne Train took it all the way along the left boards and flicked a shot past Holtby's left side, avoiding a deflection by a sprawled out Capitals defender in the process.
After falling to second place in the overall NHL points standings to Patrick Kane earlier today, Jakub Voracek pulled even for first place again with an empty net goal to seal the 3-1 victory. Brayden Schenn could have scored the goal, but he instead passed it off to Voracek.
The Flyers only had one power play the entire game and it came with 1:13 left in the game. They had to kill 6 Washington power plays though, which they did an excellent job of, the only goal coming during a 5-on-3.
Ray Emery saved the game for the Flyers after Steve Mason left and deserves a lot of credit, though so does the defense. Emery only had to face 6 shots in half a game of work. The 14 shots the Capitals got off was the lowest number the Flyers have allowed all season.
We'll post more about Steve Mason as details become available, but expect to see more of Emery in the coming games. Even if Mason's injury is minor his chronic history of recurring injuries, especially this season, may make it beneficial for the Flyers to bench him for a while.
The Flyers will be up in Montreal on Tuesday night to face the Canadiens at 7:30 pm.
-Ben Lebo
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
During a long media timeout Steve Mason got injured simply stretching by the boards. It was an odd sight to witness. Could be a back spasm, maybe a knee injury, Mason has had history with both so we'll have to wait and see.
Because of the Mason injury Ray Emery was forced to step in during a 5-on-3 power play. Razor is known for his weak point being side-to-side movement in the net. Compound that with the fact that he had no time to warm-up it was almost a certainty that the Capitals were going to score on the power play, which happened when Alex Ovechkin blasted the puck past Emery's shoulder from the left circle.
The third period was all Flyers though. Wayne Simmonds scored his team leading 19th goal of the season four minutes into the period. After controlling the puck entering the zone the Wayne Train took it all the way along the left boards and flicked a shot past Holtby's left side, avoiding a deflection by a sprawled out Capitals defender in the process.
After falling to second place in the overall NHL points standings to Patrick Kane earlier today, Jakub Voracek pulled even for first place again with an empty net goal to seal the 3-1 victory. Brayden Schenn could have scored the goal, but he instead passed it off to Voracek.
The Flyers only had one power play the entire game and it came with 1:13 left in the game. They had to kill 6 Washington power plays though, which they did an excellent job of, the only goal coming during a 5-on-3.
Ray Emery saved the game for the Flyers after Steve Mason left and deserves a lot of credit, though so does the defense. Emery only had to face 6 shots in half a game of work. The 14 shots the Capitals got off was the lowest number the Flyers have allowed all season.
We'll post more about Steve Mason as details become available, but expect to see more of Emery in the coming games. Even if Mason's injury is minor his chronic history of recurring injuries, especially this season, may make it beneficial for the Flyers to bench him for a while.
The Flyers will be up in Montreal on Tuesday night to face the Canadiens at 7:30 pm.
-Ben Lebo
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat