The Flyers are in a tough spot, and their recent performance against the Washington Capitals didn’t help their playoff aspirations. Down 1-0 after two periods, the Flyers managed to tie it up just 29 seconds into the third.
Travis Sanheim's long shot deflected off Noah Cates, ending Cates' 18-game goal drought. But the celebration was short-lived as Trevor van Riemsdyk's goal with under six minutes left sealed a 3-1 victory for the Capitals at Bank One Arena.
For much of the game, both teams exchanged chances without finding the back of the net. It took a Flyers turnover to break the deadlock, with Rasmus Sandin capitalizing on a cross-crease pass from Hendrix Lapierre. Despite tying the game early in the third, the Flyers' offensive struggles continued, unable to muster more than one goal.
Coach Rick Tocchet, back with the team after a break, emphasized the need for a stronger presence in front of the opponent's net. "We have to start getting dirty in there," Tocchet noted, highlighting the importance of scoring gritty goals as the season progresses.
The Flyers' recent record of 3-9-4 in their last 16 games illustrates the uphill battle they face. Tocchet stressed the need for physicality, saying, "The tic-tac-toe goals don’t come late in the season."
Christian Dvorak echoed this sentiment, pointing out the team's vulnerability to odd-man rushes and the need to capitalize on scoring opportunities. "We just have to get a little more gritty in front of the net," he said.
Cates, aware of the team's offensive limitations, emphasized the importance of getting more bodies in front of the net. With 25 games left, every point is crucial.
The Flyers started strong in the first period, outshooting the Capitals 9-7, with goaltender Dan Vladar, fresh from the Olympics, keeping a clean sheet.
Travis Sanheim, reflecting on his return from the Winter Olympics, noted the team's pace and energy early on. "I thought it was good, we played with a lot of pace," he remarked.
Eight points out of a playoff spot, the Flyers know they have no room for error. Travis Konecny spoke about the team's awareness of the stakes, saying, "We know it’s in the locker room. We’ll see how the first two games go."
Despite a five-year playoff drought, there's still a belief in the locker room. "It’s just a matter of believing," Konecny said. "And getting one or two of those bounces."
Short Shots:
The Flyers face the Rangers in New York on Thursday night at 8 p.m. The Capitals were missing Olympian Tom Wilson and defenseman John Carlson.
Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen tied for the Olympic tournament lead with a plus-9 rating. Carl Grundstrom made a rare start on the fourth line, and Noah Juulsen celebrated his 200th NHL game.