The Flyers came into Tuesday night’s matchup with the Capitals looking to snap a four-game skid-and they did just that, grinding out a 4-2 win at home in front of a fired-up crowd at Xfinity Live Arena. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was gritty, timely, and exactly what this team needed. Dan Vladar got the nod in net and delivered a rock-solid performance, stopping 26 of 28 shots and giving Philly the kind of goaltending they’ve been searching for during their recent slump.
There were a few lineup tweaks heading into this one-Carl Grundstrom slotted in, and Garnet Hathaway was a healthy scratch. Grundstrom made the most of his opportunity, and the Flyers’ depth came through in key moments.
First Period: Tippett Sets the Tone
The Flyers struck first thanks to Owen Tippett, who continues to be one of the team’s most consistent offensive threats. Just under six minutes into the opening frame, Travis Sanheim found Tippett at the right circle.
Tippett took it from there, driving to the net and slipping a slick backhander past Clay Stevenson’s right skate. It was a confident, assertive play-and a reminder of what Tippett can do when he’s attacking with purpose.
Matvei Michkov also picked up an assist on the goal, helping to set the tone early.
Philly killed off an early penalty before that, with Vladar making a big stop on Dylan Strome during Washington’s first power play. That early kill-and Vladar’s presence in net-helped stabilize things and gave the Flyers a foundation to build on.
Second Period: Grundstrom Cashes In, But Caps Answer
Early in the second, the Flyers got their first crack at the man advantage after Alex Ovechkin was called for slashing. They didn’t convert, but just a couple minutes later, Grundstrom made his presence felt.
His wrist shot from the left circle deflected off Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun’s ankle and beat Stevenson glove-side to make it 2-0. It wasn’t a highlight-reel goal, but it counts the same-and it was a big moment for a player trying to earn more ice time.
Nicolas Deslauriers and Rasmus Ristolainen picked up the assists.
The Flyers had a chance to stretch the lead further when Chychrun was sent off for holding, but instead, it was the Capitals who found the back of the net. Aliaksei Protas scored shorthanded on a two-on-one rush with Anthony Beauvillier.
Beauvillier set him up with a clean feed, and Protas snapped one five-hole on Vladar to cut the lead in half. That shorty was a momentum-changer, and it gave Washington life heading into the third.
Third Period: Flyers Respond When It Matters
That momentum carried into the final frame. Just 2:40 into the third, Beauvillier tied things up.
Vladar made the initial save on a shot from Trevor van Riemsdyk, but the rebound bounced out, and Beauvillier was in the right spot to bury it. Justin Sourdif also got a piece of the puck en route to the goal and was credited with an assist.
With the game tied 2-2 and the pressure mounting, the Flyers needed someone to step up. Enter Jamie Drysdale.
With under six minutes to go, Philly went on the power play after Sourdif was whistled for hooking. This time, they made it count.
Drysdale took a pass from Trevor Zegras at the blue line and uncorked a slapshot that beat Stevenson under the glove. It was a clutch goal in a clutch moment-and a reminder of why the Flyers believe in Drysdale’s offensive upside from the back end.
Zegras and Travis Konecny picked up the assists.
Washington pulled Stevenson for the extra attacker with just under two minutes left, but the Flyers held strong. Ristolainen sealed the win with an empty-netter from his own zone with just 17 seconds remaining. Konecny notched his second assist of the night on the play, capping off a strong all-around performance.
Special Teams & Goaltending Deliver
The Flyers finished 1-for-3 on the power play and killed off the lone Capitals man advantage. That’s a solid night on special teams, especially considering the shorty they gave up.
More importantly, Vladar was locked in when he needed to be. His .929 save percentage tells part of the story, but his timely saves-especially early on and after the Flyers took the lead-were crucial.
Goal Recap:
- 1st Period: Tippett (19) - Assists: Sanheim (18), Michkov (16)
- 2nd Period: Grundstrom (8) - Assists: Deslauriers (1), Ristolainen (5)
- 2nd Period: Protas (19) - Shorthanded - Assist: Beauvillier (8)
- 3rd Period: Beauvillier (12) - Assists: Sourdif (14), van Riemsdyk (6)
- 3rd Period: Drysdale (4) - Power Play - Assists: Zegras (28), Konecny (31)
- 3rd Period: Ristolainen (1) - Empty Net - Assist: Konecny (32)
What’s Next
With the losing streak snapped, the Flyers will look to build on this win when they host the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night. If they can bottle up the energy, execution, and goaltending they showed against Washington, they’ve got a real shot to start stringing some wins together.