Following a tough road loss against a Crosby-less Penguins team, the Flyers won this hard-fought contest in Washington Saturday night against a red-hot Alex Ovechkin.
Ovechkin, who entered the game with 10 goals in 10 games, was held without a single point for only the second time this season. It also happened to be the only second time that the Capitals were held to only one goal.
A large contributor to this Flyers victory was backup goaltender Martin Jones. The former San Jose starter recorded 31 saves and his third win of the season.
Jones’ play in preseason elicited quite a worried reaction from a majority of the fanbase. I did not really understand it, especially since he was not here to fight for the starting job. He is clearly settled in now. Through his first three games, Jones is 3-0 and posting a SV% of .950.
I know it is a limited sample size, but that SV% happens to be first in the NHL.
Derick Brassard scored the first goal of the game midway through the second period. His second of the season, this goal was no crazy deflection like his goal against the Kraken.
This was reminiscent of Scott Laughton’s goal against Pittsburgh Thursday night. After receiving a pass from behind the net from Cam Atkinson, Brassard roofs it glove side on Vitek Vanecek.
Minutes later, Sean Couturier made it 2-0.
Rasmus Ristolainen did well to turn and get a shot on net, which allowed Coots to stuff home the rebound. That netted “Risto” his first point as a member of the orange and black. He mentioned during post game that he thought it was his best game as a Flyer so far, and I would have to agree.
Breakaways
In a game that had each team’s goalie as one of the first two stars of the game, to come out with the victory is a promising sign.
The Flyers are now tied for third in the Metropolitan Division with 14 points, joined by the Caps and the Blue Jackets. They take on another team on a tear, the Toronto Maple Leafs, on Wednesday night. We most likely will not see Ryan Ellis or Kevin Hayes back for this contest as well.
Toronto is currently on a five-game winning streak. The Flyers now have to prepare for Auston Matthews, John Tavares and company.