Capitals Vs Flyers February 27, 2013 Game Review

Braden Holtby and the Washington Capitals were overstretched in Philadelphia, PA on Feb. 27, 2013.
Photo © Tom Mihalek / AP Photo.

Washington Capitals 1 Vs Philadelphia Flyers 4 = Road Game Loss

Things did not go well for the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night - February 27, 2013. While trying to build on their two game win streak, Washington's fortunes took a downward turn, and they lost to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Twenty-three seconds into the game, Philadelphia right-winger Claude Giroux got first strike, when his wrist shot sent the puck by Capitals starting goaltender Braden Holtby. Holtby was looking sharp at this point in the game, but he wasn't getting the best efforts from some of his teammates, in front of him.

Washington's special teams didn't show up for this game. They failed to kill off two of their five penalties, with right wing Wayne Simmonds scoring on the man-advantage in the first period, and left wing Simon Gagné about four minutes into the second. The Capitals were also unable to find success on any of their five power-plays.

Braden Holtby had lost his effectiveness by the midpoint of the game, if not by the time Gagné scored the third Flyers goal. He would later be replaced by 21 year old AHL call-up goaltender Philipp Grubauer, right after Holtby let in a fourth goal. That one came from center Maxime Talbot, about five minutes before the end of period two.

Thankfully, Philadelphia got nothing through Grubauer in his just over twenty-five minutes between the pipes. He stopped fourteen shots, while playing solidly in his first NHL hockey game. However, Washington didn't mount much of a comeback.

The Capitals wrecked any chance of a shutout for Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov, when they finally got one in on late in the third period. Centerman Joel Ward was the lone Caps goal scorer, on the night. Ward, whose line had more energy than any other Washington trio, was aided by defenseman Tom Poti and the always hard working forward Jay Beagle.

It sure would help the Capitals, if they could be a little more consistent. Perhaps, they were tired. They didn't seem to have very much edge or grit during this game. What happened to their checking? What happened to their power-play and penalty-killing? Washington has to bring these elements every game, to be consistent, and to win.

Game Highlights: Washington Capitals At Philadelphia Flyers On Feb. 27, 2013

Caps Postgame Locker Room 02/27/13: Caps players Alex Ovechkin, Philipp Grubauer, Joel Ward and Karl Alzner address the media after a 4-1 loss against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Adam Oates Postgame 02/27/13 Caps head coach Adam Oates addresses the media after a 4-1 loss against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Flyers Vs Capitals February 1, 2013 Game Review

Washington Capitals salute fans after win over Philadelphia Flyers - Washington, DC February 1, 2013.
Photo © Patrick McDermott / Getty Images.

Philadelphia Flyers 2 Vs Washington Capitals 3 = Home Game Win!

The Washington Capitals played in their fifth straight 3 - 2 game on February 1, 2013, when they faced the Philadelphia Flyers at home. For only the second time out of those five games, and in fact all eight games of the season, the Capitals won. Both of their wins were games played at home.

Braden Holtby finally got another turn at goaltending for the Caps, after not having brought his best efforts in the first two games of the season. This time he played himself into better fortune. His mates also brought improved fore and backcheckjng, along with good hustle. Meanwhile, the Flyers were all quite sluggish, with their defense being particularly sloppy.

The first period was typically filled with penalties, not a good start for either team. And neither team was able to take advantage of their powerplays. Both went a man down for the game, when Philadelphia's center Zac Rinaldo picked a fight with Washington's forward Matt Hendricks before the puck was dropped on a faceoff. That's an automatic game misconduct and ejection from the game. The altercation came as a result of defenseman John Erskine getting an elbow up into Philly's forward Wayne Simmonds (RW). The on-ice officials didn't deem that intentional, but he may face some extra off-ice time, after the league reviews what took place.

There were plenty more PPs in the second period, but nobody was able to take advantage. Even-strength scoring chances weren't successful either, until after the mid-game point. Bruno Gervais (D) put the Flyers on the scoreboard first, at 11:43. The Capitals would answer back six minutes later on one of Philadelphia's many mistakes. On an offensive zone dump-in, the puck landed on the stick of Caps defenseman John Carlson, who flipped it to center Nicklas Backstrom (C). Backstrom was able to skate in and score on a top-shelf backhand shot unopposed, because half the Flyers were busy screwing up a line change.

Seconds after being crunched along the boards, Troy Brouwer (RW) put Washington ahead, four minutes into the third period. Backstrom started the play from the left wing faceoff circle, then defenseman Mike Green passed the puck back to Brouwer at the same spot. Troy zipped the puck over the shoulder of Ilya Bryzgalov, short side and just under the crossbar. Less than three minutes later, Wojtek Wolski (LW) put Washington ahead by two, on a breakaway created after defenseman Luke Schenn bobbled the puck from a neutral zone faceoff. The Caps held onto a one goal lead after center Brayden Schenn scored halfway through the third period.

Even though Washington lost an important part of their attack in Hendricks late in the first period, they played very well. Philadelphia wasn't at their best, which helped the the Caps a little, but it was still an enjoyable game to watch. It's always good when your team wins, anyway. The Capitals will need a few more, really quickly, if they are to contend for the playoffs this -2012--2013 NHL Hockey season.

Game Highlights: Philadelphia Flyers At Washington Capitals February 1, 2013

Caps Postgame Locker Room 02/01/13: Caps players John Carlson, Wojtek Wolski, Nicklas Backstrom and Troy Brouwer address the media after a 3-2 win over the Flyers.

Adam Oates Postgame 02/01/13: Caps head coach Adam Oates addresses the media after a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Washington Capitals Review: March 22 - 31, 2012

Matt Hendricks makes another goalie look stupid with his shootout goal moves. This time, it was Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins, on March 29, 2012.
Photo by Elsa / Getty Images via WashingtonCaps.com.

With the list of linked game reviews, highlights videos and other Washington Capitals related stories below, Junior's Eyes revisits the last ten days of March 2012.

During this segment of six games, the Capitals once again split it evenly, winning three and losing three. It was damn hard to keep the faith, with Washington floundering toward the end of the regular season at this pace. At the same time, the Eastern Conference teams closest to the Caps in the standings, were not able to widen the gap enough to put them completely out of the running for a NHL playoff spot.

The following list is in reverse chronological order.


March 31, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals 3, Canadiens 2, SO
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Two The Hard Way – It wasn’t pretty, but on Saturday night against the Montreal Canadiens at Verizon Center, the Caps authored a second straight 3-2 shootout win in a game in which they once held a 2-0 lead...


Nicklas Backstrom to return against Montreal
By Katie Carrera at Washington Post's Capitals Insider

The Washington Capitals received some welcome news on Saturday as Nicklas Backstrom will be back in the lineup after missing nearly three months with a concussion...


March 30, 2012

With Tomas Vokoun injured, Michal Neuvirth and Braden Holtby
are prepared to step up for Capitals
By Katie Carrera at Washington Post's Capitals Insider

...Based on their comments to reporters on Friday, Michal Neuvirth and Braden Holtby are preparing to shoulder responsibilities in net down the stretch for Washington...


March 29, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals 3, Bruins 2, SO
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Two Goals, Two Points – Going into Thursday night’s game with the Bruins in Boston, the Capitals knew two things. First, they knew they weren’t likely to score many goals. They were facing a hot Boston club that had won five of its previous six and had allowed two or fewer tallies in each of those half-dozen games. Second, the Caps knew they needed a strong goaltending performance of their own, and that’s a corollary of the first...


Capitals Lunchbox, Season 2, Episode 18
Posted by J.P. at Japers' Rink

In which Alan May, Kellie Cowan and I talk discuss the Caps' playoff chances, identity (or lack thereof), Nicklas Backstrom and more. Dig it.

March 28, 2012

Tomas Vokoun says he’s ready to play
By Katie Carrera at Washington Post's Capitals Insider

Tomas Vokoun has been battling a groin muscle strain off and on since late February, but after several consecutive days of practice the veteran netminder has deemed himself ready to play should the Capitals’ coaching staff want to use him on Thursday in Boston...


March 27, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Sabres 5, Capitals 1
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

...Washington was unable to help itself on Tuesday in a significantly important game against the Sabres. Buffalo mustered all the offense it would need in the first frame, scoring twice on Washington mistakes while the Caps were unable to capitalize on some strong chances of their own...


March 25, 2012

That Was The Week That Was -- Week 24 (March 18-24)
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...What was frustrating about this week is that the Caps managed the first goal in three of the four games and lost two of them (both in extra time). What was anger-inducing was that the Caps scored five goals in each of the first and second periods of the four games this week, but only one in the third period and none in overtime. Meanwhile, the four opponents scored six second period, four third period, and an overtime goal among the 13 scored against Washington this week. That is the kind of wandering focus that has plagued this team for more than three games…more like three years...


POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals 3, Wild 0
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

...with time running out on the season, the Caps sitting in ninth place to start the day, and the Wild playing their second game in as many nights, Sunday’s game was one that Washington simply had to have. And the Caps got it...


March 24, 2012

Washington Capitals teammates welcome back Nicklas Backstrom
By Katie Carrera at Washington Post's Capitals Insider

When Nicklas Backstrom stepped on to the ice Saturday morning he was greeted by a round of applause and cheers from the fans in the stands at the Capitals’ practice facility...


March 23, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Jets 4, Capitals 3, OT
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

...After forging a 3-0 second-period lead over the Jets in a key game for Eastern Conference playoff positioning, Washington gave back two of those goals in a span of just 71 seconds in the second period, then spent virtually the entire third stanza dodging bullets in their own end. The result was a stinging and stunning 4-3 overtime loss to the plucky Jets...


March 22, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Flyers 2, Capitals 1, SO
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Missed It By That Much – Tonight’s game against the Flyers in Philly offered the Capitals a huge opportunity. The finale of a five-game road swing, it was also the rubber match of the set as the Caps came in with a 2-2 mark in the previous four games. As the game-in-hand on both seventh-place Ottawa and ninth-place Buffalo, the contest offered Washington a chance to pull to within two points of the Senators and to put two points of distance between itself and the Sabres...