A decent start

With a team losing seven of their last eight facing a team at home that has won seven of eight, it was crucial the Flyers try and keep the barn doors from being blown off the first 10 minutes. A nutty play by Connor McMichael saw him bounce the puck inside the Flyers zone and then beat a few Philadelphia defenders to create a scoring chance. Ersson was there to keep things scoreless. He was also great on a mini-breakaway by Taylor Raddysh, turning it aside roughly seven minutes in. His best of the first might have been a slow-developing play when Lars Eller skated over the blueline. With nobody in front of him he bore down and fired a wrister that Ersson gloved.

He was unable to stop a rebound from going to the Capitals forward with a lot of goals in his career. The empty netter broke the scoreless tie giving Washington a 1-0 lead.

Couturier and Konecny paired

Sean Couturier found himself with Travis Konecny and Olle Lycksell on either side of him. They had a few good shifts and rushes early, with Couturier’s chance on a two-on-one stopped by a sliding Caps defender and a shot near the faceoff circle missing the mark. With only two stoppages in play in the first 11 minutes, it was clear both teams were playing as if they had planes to catch. As for Konecny, he passed on what should’ve been a great shot baring down on Lindgren, but he decided to pass, giving up a clear golden chance. He had another chance on his off wing but Lindgren again got a piece of it.

The duo also had a good shift to start the second period, getting some forechecking going. Sadly, the Flyers gave up a goal moments later when Matt Roy was left alone. Roy’s shot was deflected by Duhaime who beat Ryan Poehling to the puck.

Konecny is battling something as he doesn’t look right. He hasn’t for a while yet and it’s hopefully nothing that requires major surgery and major rehabilitation. But clearly he’s not 100 per cent, which could explain the problems putting the puck in the net. He had his best chance on a two-man breakaway alongside Michkov. Michkov strung a pass to Konecny for what looked like a tight tap in but Lindgren shut the door.

Somebody…anyone…score…..no….not yet

After being shut out in back-to-back games, the Flyers were probably thinking the opposition net was as miniscule as their power play effectiveness. They were still keeping things simple and essentially taking what Washington was giving them without much razzle dazzle to speak of.

A hooking penalty to Tom Wilson gave the Flyers a chance to score. The first unit consisted again of Jamie Drysdale, Matvei Michkov and Travis Konecny. The second unit saw Michkov still out there with Lycksell and Couturier. Unfortunately Tyson Foerster tripped a Capital late in the power play, keeping the month-long streak of power play poverty perfect. A second power play again saw Michkov and Drysdale looking like they were reading each other well. No goal of course, but the two of them should hopefully be part of far better power plays in the seasons to come.

Dagger early on

Washington put their third of the night behind Ersson, the prettiest of the night as Andrew Mangiapane put things out of reach.

Too little, too late

The lone Flyers goal boosted the team’s confidence and they played a lot looser. Ersson was pulled with about three-and-a-half minutes left and Philadelphia thought they had their second goal. However Couturier pushed Lindgren’s blocker over the line which the officials initially deemed goaltender interference. With nothing to lose, Tortorella challenged that ruling, believing the puck was free when Couturier touched it. The challenge was successful, giving the Flyers their second of the night.

Despite plastering Lindgren with 17 shots in the third compared to two against Ersson, the Flyers once again came up short.