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Wrap: Capitals 5 - Flyers 4; Musings: Trending the Right Way?

March 14, 2021, 9:53 AM ET [142 Comments]
Bill Meltzer
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Once Again, Flyers Chase -- and Can't Catch -- the Game

The Philadelphia Flyers fell nine points behind the Washington Capitals as they suffered a 5-4 loss -- their third regulation loss at home against the Capitals in the course of the last week -- on Saturday evening at the Wells Fargo Center.

As with Thursday night's game, the Flyers dug themselves too deep of a hole from which to come back successfully. A desperation push in the third period brought the Flyers back within a goal but it was too little and too late.

Goals by Daniel Sprong (5th) and Carl Hagelin (3rd) staked the Capitals to a 2-0 lead at the first intermission. In the second period, the Flyers twice narrowed the deficit to one goal, and twice Washington restored a two-goal margin as a James van Riemsdyk goal (12th) was quickly answered by Nick Jensen (2nd overall, second against the Flyers this week). After Nolan Patrick (3rd) ended an 18-game point drought, a failed Flyers power play gave way to a successful one as Alex Ovechkin (PP, 10th) made it 4-2.

Nic Dowd scored a deflection goal at 4:24 of the third period to build a 5-2 cushion. Shayne Gostisbehere (5th) scored a seeing-eye goal through traffic to cut the deficit to 5-3. On a 6-on-5 attack, Jakub Voracek set up a one-timer goal for Claude Giroux (5th). The Flyers ran out of time looking for an equalizer.

Brian Elliott struggled in 23:06 of action, yielding three goals on 10 shots. Carter Hart came in to relieve the veteran, stopping 11 of 13 shots and getting charged with the loss. Ilya Samsonov denied 28 of 32 shots for Washington.

For analysis, highlights and more from Saturday's game, visit the Postgame 5 on the Flyers official website.

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Trending the Right Way?

Following Saturday's game, Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault chose to emphasize the positive rather than the myriad issues that have contributed to the team losing five of their last seven games and going 1-5-0 in their six games against Pittsburgh and Washington.

"I thought we played a good game from start to finish. Guys competed. We’re not going to be perfect. Competed hard, made some good plays at the right time and got some good looks. Unfortunately, game result-wise didn’t go our way, but our battle level was there. We worked right until the end," Vigneault said.

"Without a doubt, we’re going through a challenging time right now. We’re falling behind in games and trying to work and battle back. Yes, we are making a few mistakes. We’re going to try and continue to improve and get the mistakes to a minimum. Our guys are competing and battling. That’s what we need to continue to do. If we continue to do that, we’re going to be in good shape."

Vigneault was asked about the Flyers' upcoming road trip to play the New York Rangers and New York Islanders.

"We’re going to get ready for our next game here. We’re going to practice (on Sunday). We’re going to have a good practice. Nobody’s going to feel sorry for us right now because we’re going through a tough time. We all have to battle together and continue to strive to get our game better. I do like a lot of parts of our game at this moment. I do think we’re trending in the right way. Results-wise, maybe not. As far as playing the game as it should be permit you to win, I do think we’re trending in the right direction," Vigneault said.

My view: Vigneault is correct in terms of the Flyers generating more shots and sustained forecheck --and starting to spread the scoring a bit of late -- but the number of costly giveaways, goals against right after scoring, coverage/support breakdowns are absolutely NOT trending the right way. The Flyers' goaltending during the current stretch has not been up to par, either.

When you dig holes regularly via self-inflicted wounds, need four, five or six goals a night to have a chance to win, I'm sorry, but that is NOT trending the right way no matter what other parts of process have been going better the last few weeks.

On today's edition of Flyers Daily, Jason Myrtetus and I did an in-depth look at what's gone wrong and what needs to be done -- immediately -- to reverse course before it gets too late to move back into playoff position. To listen, click here.
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