WASHINGTON DC – If the Flyers want to get back in the playoff hunt, their play certainly will have to improve.
After losing 12 of their last 15 games heading into the Olympic break, the time off was seen as a time to regroup. But, unfortunately it was much of the same in their first game back.
Both teams struggled badly to find their legs in the first period. A sign that neither team was done any favors with not playing for almost three weeks.
Washington, however, found their legs in the second period and really took advantage of it.
For much of the period, the Flyers were playing on their heels. Dan Vladar did everything possible in his control to keep them in the game.
Well, until the Flyers stepped on their own feet again.
Travis Sanheim couldn’t clear out a Capital in-front and knocked the stick out of Vladar’s hand as he was going post to post trying to make a save. The weak side once again was uncovered and resulted in a goal.
Matvei Michkov blew his coverage on the weak side allowing the defenseman to skate in for the open shot.
Noah Cates would tie the game 29 seconds into the third period. His 11th goal of the season ended an 18 game drought.
Cates would redirect home a Travis Sanheim point shot past Logan Thompson.
Matvei Michkov would make up for his mistake in the second period. He created the turnover in the lead-up to the goal.
Dan Vladar did everything possible to give the Flyers a chance to win. In the third period alone, it was the Vladar highlight reel after making big save after big save.
But, like in the second period, the Flyers stepped on their own feet again.
The Capitals would score the game winner with 5:52 left after a bad line change by the Flyers. Washington would have the numbers advantage, four on two, in tight on Vladar, who had no chance on the back door goal.
Vladar finished with 26 saves in what was another stellar performance in net. Once again though, his teammates let him down in-front of him.
Rick Tocchet talked a lot before the Olympic break about minimizing the weak side goals. Both Capitals goals, before the empty netter, were weak side goals with no support by the Flyers.
The Flyers complete their back to back tomorrow night in New York when they play the Rangers at 8:00pm.
