Flyers Snap Skid with Gritty Win Over Capitals, 4-2
PHILADELPHIA - After four straight games without a win, the Flyers finally found their way back into the win column Tuesday night, grinding out a 4-2 victory over the Washington Capitals at Xfinity Mobile Arena. It wasn’t always pretty, and it certainly wasn’t easy, but Philadelphia got the job done behind timely scoring, strong goaltending, and a clutch power-play goal late in the third.
The Flyers jumped out to a two-goal lead, watched it slip away, and then responded when it mattered most. Jamie Drysdale’s third-period blast on the man advantage proved to be the difference-maker, and Rasmus Ristolainen’s empty-netter sealed it. For a team that had been searching for answers, this one had to feel good.
Let’s break it down.
Fast Start Fuels Flyers
Coming off a frustrating stretch, the Flyers came out with noticeable jump. Puck movement was crisp, and the energy was there from the opening faceoff. That early push paid off just under six minutes into the game.
Matvei Michkov made a savvy play to get the puck to Travis Sanheim, who then found Owen Tippett cutting through the slot. Tippett did the rest, finishing with a slick move that left Washington goalie Ckay Stevenson grasping at air. That gave Philly a 1-0 edge and a much-needed jolt of confidence.
From there, the Flyers leaned on goaltender Dan Vladar, who stood tall during a first-period Capitals power play and turned away all 11 shots he faced in the opening frame. The Flyers carried their 1-0 lead into the intermission, and they weren’t done yet.
A Fortunate Bounce Extends the Lead
Philadelphia came out with more of the same energy in the second, and it didn’t take long to double their lead. Carl Grundstrom fired a puck in from the half-wall-likely intended as a pass toward the net-front-but it caught an unfortunate bounce off Washington defenseman Jakob Chychrun’s skate and slid past Stevenson. Grundstrom got credit for the goal, with Nick Deslauriers and Rasmus Ristolainen picking up the assists.
That made it 2-0, and the Flyers looked to be in control. But as we’ve seen so often in the NHL, momentum can flip in a heartbeat.
Caps Battle Back
Midway through the second, the Flyers were working their second power play of the night after Chychrun was whistled for holding Tippett. But instead of extending the lead, they watched it get cut in half.
A miscue at the blue line led to a shorthanded odd-man rush. Anthony Beauvillier picked up the loose puck and broke out with Aliaksei Protas, who buried the finish to make it 2-1. It was a tough blow for Philadelphia, and it gave Washington a spark.
The rest of the period settled into a chess match, with both teams trading chances but neither able to break through. Vladar and Stevenson kept things tight, and the Flyers took their one-goal lead into the third.
But that lead didn’t last long.
Beauvillier Strikes Again, But Drysdale Has the Answer
Just 2:40 into the final frame, the Capitals pulled even. Trevor Van Riemsdyk worked the puck to Justin Sourdif, who found Beauvillier parked right at the doorstep. He tapped in the equalizer-his second point of the night-to make it 2-2.
From there, both teams pushed for the go-ahead goal. The pace picked up, and the intensity ratcheted higher with each shift. Then, with under six minutes to go, Travis Konecny drew a hooking penalty on Sourdif, giving the Flyers a golden opportunity.
They didn’t waste it.
Jamie Drysdale, positioned high in the slot, stepped into a pass from Trevor Zegras and uncorked a laser that beat Stevenson clean. Konecny also picked up an assist on the go-ahead tally, which gave the Flyers a 3-2 edge with time winding down.
Ristolainen Ices It
Washington pulled their goalie for the extra attacker in the final minutes, but Vladar stayed sharp and the Flyers’ defense held strong. With the Capitals pressing, Ristolainen found the puck in front of his own net and launched it the length of the ice into the empty cage.
That made it 4-2, and finally, the Flyers could exhale.
What’s Next
With the win, the Flyers improve to 25-20-10 and regain some momentum heading into the Olympic break. They’ve got one more game before the pause-Thursday night at home against the Ottawa Senators.
Puck drops at 7:00 p.m. EST.
For a team that had been reeling, this was the kind of gritty, team-wide effort that can get things back on track. The Flyers didn’t just win-they answered the bell when the pressure was on.