Final Thoughts Vs. Washington (12-20-08)
Inertia can be defined as The tendency of a body in straight line motion to stay in motion in a straight line unless acted on by an outside force. So, when the red hot Washington Capitals steamrolled into the Wachovia Center for today’s matchup with the Flyers, it was only the immovable object that was Antero Niittymaki that slowed their momentum. The final score of 7-1 is no indication of how this game played out. Led by Alexander Ovechkin, who was stopped 12 times by Niittymaki, the Capitals fired an unprecedented 25 shots in the first period alone, and 47 for the game. They were stymied throughout by the Flyer netminder, who made spectacular save after spectacular save.
But, the Flyers took advantage of the precious few chances they did have, vanquishing any concern that their vaunted offense might have hit a snag after so many missed opportunities on Thursday in Montreal. The Flyers clung to a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes thanks to an impressive move by Joffrey Lupul.
Unfazed, that Capitals came out firing in the 2nd, just as they had in the first. But, Washington was put on life support thanks to a fateful two minutes in which Jeff Carter scored twice. The second goal was, an always backbreaking, shorthanded tally, the Flyers 13th, matching last year’s total. Washington continued to put the offensive pressure on Niittymaki, but they couldn’t find the back of the net.
The third period saw the Flyers level the ice in terms of shots, but they blew the doors off of the game by scoring four times, a hat trick by Scott Hartnell, and a power play goal by Simon Gagne. Washington’s only goal came off of a Flyer turnover. The only time Niittymaki didn’t have an answer.
The Flyers have little time to revel in their larceny, and that’s what the two points they got today are, because the Flyers could have just as easily lost this game 7-1. Tomorrow they head up the turnpike to face their old nemesis, the New Jersey Devils. The Flyers have turned the tables on the Devils this season. Let’s see if they can continue the trend. They are going to need similar goaltending, but they are going to have to play a more disciplined game if they want to have a chance at a victory.
Positives:
- Â This section really begins and ends with the goaltender, Niittymaki was nothing short of amazing.
- Scott Hartnell is on a hot streak, netting his second hat trick in a little more than a week.
- Special Teams:Â The Flyers scored twice on the power play and added yet another shorthanded goal.
Negatives:
-  The Flyers were badly outplayed for two periods in this game. They cannot rely on the goaltender to continue to have games like Niittymaki had today.
- Riley Cote fell to former Flyer Donald Brashear in two bouts.
Notes:
The Flyers are now 9-0-2 in their last 11 home games * The Flyers 49 special teams goals (36 PP & 13 SH) are tops in the NHL * Scott Hartnell now has 4 hat tricks during the 2008 calendar year * Jeff Carter had his first career 4 point game * Glen Metropolit was a late scratch due to an undisclosed lower body injury.
-Mike Tursi
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