The Flyers Win Over Capitals Extends Their Seven-Game Point Streak
The recent success of the Philadelphia Flyers has drawn more attention to the team. With the Flyers going 2-0-1 on their most recent road trip, the Wells Fargo Center was filled for the contest against the Capitals. With Washington coming into tonight’s match trailing the Flyers in the Metropolitan, it’s an essential game for Philadelphia to win to maintain the third-place standing. After Sam Ersson’s outstanding performance despite the overtime loss in Nashville, he would remain in the net for the matchup against the Capitals as Carter Hart is out sick. The Flyers ended up defeating the Capitals in a 4-3 shootout win in Thursday nights contest.
Flyers Vs. Capitals
Although the Flyers played fast and tough hockey on the road, that was different for Thursday night’s contest. The first period’s orange and black presence on the ice was slower than usual. Both teams maintained a slow pace. In the second period, the Flyers were able to get on the board first.
BOB-O. #WSHvsPHI | @BobbyBrink19 pic.twitter.com/LgTqdi88Y3
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) December 15, 2023
Bobby Brink scored his fifth goal of the season, and the lead shortly fell as Washington scored seconds later. The Flyers lead the NHL in the penalty kill with 86.7%. This was one of the few times the opposing team got behind one of the best special teams units in the league. Despite Philadelphia having back-to-back power plays from T.J. Oshie, they accumulated nothing.
While the Flyers are the best team in penalty kills, they couldn’t stop Washington’s Tom Wilson from scoring. The Capitals took a 2-1 lead late in the second period. Philadelphia was dealt a 5-3 man advantage and still couldn’t produce anything. In the final frame, Joel Farabee was able to tie the game 2-2.
Philly Joel started the fire. 🔥#WSHvsPHI | @FarabeeJoel pic.twitter.com/fzELUJLGLy
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) December 15, 2023
With the game being tied, the pace of the game picked up yet again. Both teams were playing more physically and taking better shot opportunities. Halfway through the third period, Washington’s Dylan Strome got the puck past Ersson.
Fourtunalty, Owen Tippett was able to tie the game 3-3 with under three minutes to go in regulation. Morgan Frost picked up his second assist of the game. With an electric crowd at the Wells Fargo Center, this game was going into extra time. Capitals goalie Charlie Lindgren was able to make some good saves during the five-minute overtime. Eventually, with a scoreless overtime, it was time for yet another shootout for the orange and black this season.
Seven-Game Point Streak
The shootout went 3-0 as Sean Couturier and Brink were both the goal scorers for the Flyers. Ersson, yet again, was phenomenal in net, with the only goal that he wasn’t able to stop by Oshie. The Flyers were able to maintain their seven-game point streak.
Flyers win 4-3. Sam Ersson & the Flyers are 3-0 in shootouts this season. pic.twitter.com/wda64WTMU0
— Haley Taylor Simon (@Haleytsimon) December 15, 2023
After the game, Brink stated the benefit of practicing with Sam Ersson, which helped him against Lindgren in the shootout. “Errson does that one to me all the time, where he jumps out on me like that, so I knew that was coming. I’m watching his blocker a bit, so luckily, Errson helped me with that one.” When Ersson was told about Brink’s statement, he smiled and went out to say, “I told him, and he’s learned the golden twitch because that’s what I do. I take part of the credit.”
Vintage Philly fight with a New Era of Orange. #WSHvsPHI | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/CDiMWV4HIL
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) December 15, 2023
The Special Group On Ice
Although the season is far from over, Cam Atkinson stated, “We have a special group here. I’ve said it from day one since I returned. We’re bringing in new guys, and we’re a family in this room. You can tell how special it is coming to the rink. Everyone’s positive through the good and bad times. I’ve been in the league 13 years, and this is the most special team I’ve been a part of.” Atkinson thinks the world of the guys on the team. As one of the leaders in the locker room, players such as Farabee credited Atkinson’s positivity, which helped him step up his game and get a goal in the contest.
Head coach John Tortorella had positive remarks following the 4-3 shootout win. “I think our guys have been very consistent in their competitiveness.” Tortorella is a coach who focuses more on the effort demonstrated on the ice than anything. He strives for players to put in their best effort; if they do so, he’ll be happy.
Hear from Torts following our third shootout win of the season, a 4-3 decision over the Caps at @WellsFargoCtr. #WSHvsPHI | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/AVKdWtO9Ac
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) December 15, 2023
After Coming off of the 4-3 shootout win, the Flyers host the Red Wings this Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center, looking to extend their seven-game point streak to eight. The puck drop is at 7 pm.
