Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Caps 3, Flyers 1: Caps Overcome Slow Start. End Road Trip 4-1-0

March 8, 2021, 9:16 PM ET [1 Comments]
Brian Sickles
Washington Capitals Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Hello All,

The Washington Capitals capped off a five-game road trip with a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Prior to this game, the Flyers had won five straight games in head to head matchups against the Capitals, dating back all the way to January 8th, 2020. In the previous five games, the Flyers have outscored the Capitals 25-11. For the five-game road trip, the Capitals finished 4-1-0.

Here are the stats from the game today:


Shots on Goal:

WSH – 27

PHI – 37


Shots on Goal (5v5)

WSH – 22

PHI – 22


Faceoff %:

WSH – 44.2%

PHI – 55.8%


Power Play:

WSH – 0/1

PHI – 0/4


Hits:

WSH – 24

PHI - 14


Blocks:

WSH – 11

PHI – 14



Corsi For:

WSH – 54

PHI – 57



Corsi For (5v5):

WSH – 45

PHI – 32


Scoring Chances For:

WSH – 20

PHI – 21



Scoring Chances For (5v5):

WSH – 20

PHI – 13


High Danger Chances For:

WSH – 5

PHI – 10


High Danger Chances For: (5v5):

WSH – 5

PHI – 6

My general takeaway from the stats:

-The Capitals may have been outshot, but they were the better team tonight at 5v5. They were tied in shots at 5v5. They held the advantage in scoring chances and Corsi at 5v5.

-Philadelphia did have a 10-5 “High Danger Chance For” advantage but only 6-5 at 5v5. However, the Flyers did not Capitalize on any of their high danger chances. the Farabee goal was considered a medium danger chance according to natural stat trick. Other than that goal, Samsonov was spectacular last night and came up with some timely saves.

Here are my takeaways from the game:

Special Teams:

The Good: The Capitals killed off all four Flyers power plays. Since February 24th, the Capitals have killed off 17 of their last 18 penalties. This is good for 94.4% which ranks 1st in the league during that timeframe.

The Bad: The Capitals only generated one power play all game. They rank 30th in the league at generating power plays per game with a grand total of 2.54 PP/game. Then only team worse is the Anaheim Ducks. On the season, the Capitals have the 30th ranked power play on the road at 9.4%. For reference, the Capitals have the number one power play in the league at home with 44.8%.

If Philly is able to capitalize on their extra man opportunities last night, we would be talking about this area of weakness for the Capitals much more. Fortunately for the Capitals, they have been pretty stellar on both the PK and 5v5 as of late.

Ilya Samsonov:

The Good: In his second start since returning from his COVID recovery, Samsonov looked sharp. He wasn’t perfect but it was a stellar game for Sammy. After giving up a goal in the first period from a Flyers 2on1, Samsonov bounced back and stopped 29/29 shots for the remainder of the game. According to NaturalStatTrick, Samsonov stopped all 5 out of 5 high danger chances, five out of six medium danger chances, and was also a perfect 11 for 11 on low danger chances. The Flyers generated some quality shots in the third period if/when they were able to get pucks on Net. Samsonov came up with stop after stop and didn’t let in any softies when the Flyers were charging late in the game. For Samsonov, this is massive, and this is exactly what the Capitals need from him. It will take Samsonov time to get back to 100% but based off last nights performance, he is well on his way. If he can put together a few more consistent performances like yesterday, he will surely challenge Vitek Vanecek for 1A duties.

The Bad: There is not much to say that Samsonov did poorly yesterday. If we are nit-picking areas of opportunity, I thought the rebound control was a little inconsistent. According to NaturalStatTrick, the Flyers were able to create three scoring chances off of rebounds. Rebound control will also come with time for Sammy as he continues to get acclimated in net. I thought the goal Farabee scored was fine. Farabee leads the Flyers in goals this season has the hot hand for the Flyers. It was a good move to sneak the puck five hole on a quick release shot on a 2on1 breakout. I will not fault Samsonov for that one. W

Nick Jensen

The Good: Nick Jensen recorded his ever goal as a Capital on Sunday. It took him 109 games to score a goal. Jensen and Chara have formed an excellent pairing in the defensive zone. Jensen has been playing his best hockey as a Capital this season and last night was another example of it. Nick Jensen has recorded four points (1g, 3a) over his last six games. Jensen has recorded eight points (1g, 7a) in 21 games this season, matching his point total from last season in 47 fewer games.

The Bad: It took Jensen 109 games to score a goal with the Capitals.

I thought the Capitals looked disappointing sluggish in the first period against a Flyers team that was on the second half of a back to back. I would have expected it to be the Capitals to jump on the Flyers but it was the opposite. The Capitals eventually settled in and took control of the game (for the most part) at 5v5. The Caps are 8-2-1 since February 16th which is tied for 1st in the league with the Islanders. The Capitals have a huge opportunity this week to make a statement in the division. The Caps play the Devils and then the Flyers twice.
Considering the Flyers have won the previous five meeting leading up to this game, this next two games in the head to head series should be very telling on whether the performance yesterday was just a blip or are the Capitals collectively turning things around against the Flyers

Honorable Mention: The Fans. It was great to see fans in the arena in Philadelphia. It was even better to hear them boo their own team.

That is all, thanks for reading and GO CAPS
Join the Discussion: » 1 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Brian Sickles
» Ovechkin Breaks Gordie Howe's Record for Most Goals with One Team
» WSH 1, DET 3 - Ovechkin Ties Howe in Detroit
» WSH 0, DAL 2 - Caps Blanked by Oettinger and Stars
» WSH 6, NJD 3 - Washington Capitalizes on Blackwood's Off Night
» WSH 4, LAK 3 - Caps Mount Another Third Period Comeback