The Philadelphia Flyers met the Washington Capitals in the second of back-to-back games on Wednesday, where a 6-3 loss was a frustrating continuation of their struggles, but it wasn’t without some signs of life.
Despite falling behind 4-0 in the second period, the Flyers mounted a pretty spirited comeback before things unraveled again late in the game. With the team on a now-six-game losing streak, this performance at least offered glimpses of fight and resilience, even though inconsistent goaltending and offensive efforts still falling short at many opportunities still hindered their chances.
Slow Starts
One of the Flyers’ biggest problems throughout their current losing streak has been their inability to start games with intensity and discipline, and that trend continued against Washington.
The Capitals were able to score their first goal within the first five minutes of the game, and the Flyers fell behind 4-0 by the second period, largely due to defensive breakdowns and sloppy play in their own zone.
Defensive lapses put the Flyers on the back foot early and placed enormous pressure on Ivan Fedotov (who undoubtedly was already feeling plenty due to intense criticism of his NHL performances so far). Make no mistake, Fedotov made some key saves and looked significantly better as the game went on, but the inability to hit the ground running forced the Flyers into an unfortunately familiar position: chasing the game from a deep deficit.
Call It A Comeback
Despite the poor start, the Flyers showed a level of resilience and determination that has been missing in recent games. Travis Konecny ignited the comeback, displaying his scoring touch that has made him the Flyers’ most consistently dangerous offensive player the past few seasons. Owen Tippett, who had been struggling to find the back of the net, followed suit, breaking through with a much-needed second goal to cut the deficit in half.
But Matvei Michkov’s goal was the most talked-about moment of the night (who would’ve guessed?). His goal was a thing of beauty—a precise snipe that beat Capitals goalie Logan Thompson cleanly and showcased his elite scoring prowess.
The comeback, although it ultimately ended up falling short, showed that this team has heart and can create offense when their best players are engaged. However, the challenge remains in maintaining that level of intensity for a full 60 minutes.
Empty Net Heartbreakers
The wind completely left the Flyers’ sails in the third period, when head coach John Tortorella pulled Ivan Fedotov, opting for an early empty net in an attempt to spark a late rally. Unfortunately, the strategy backfired, and Capitals quickly fired off two empty-net goals to seal their 6-3 victory.
Fedotov’s performance had been uneven, but pulling him that early with the game still within reach felt premature—and perhaps underscores the pressure the coaching staff is under to find answers as the losing streak drags on.
The move may have been an attempt to shake things up (something Tortorella has not shied away from in these first seven games), but it ended up further deflating a Flyers team that had shown real signs of life in the second and third periods.
The Flyers next outing will be back at home for a 1 p.m. puck drop against the Minnesota Wild on Oct. 26.
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