They missed the playoffs last year, dwelling so deep in the cellar that, in the off-season, few thought they’d make the playoffs this season. After some great off-season moves, including the signings of Daniel Briere and Kimmo Timonen, the Flyers are back in the post-season and making the Washington Capitals look like a team bound for an early exit.
The Caps won the first game with a stirring comeback victory in which Alexander Ovechkin scored the game-winner and then threw his body to keep Philly from mounting a comeback of their own. In Game Two, the Flyers’ Martin Biron pitched a shutout, and tonight Philly were the decisive winners. With the series now 2-1 in favor of Philadelphia, Washington needs to win game four to even it up. Considering how disjointed the Caps looked tonight, aimless and ineffective, they need to regroup and return to the style of play that got them into the post-season.
They recaptured thier magic in Game One, but Ovechkin has been cold since, and Cristobal Huet was shaky in net. It’s partly sentimental of me, but I think Olaf Kolzig should have been put in after Huet surrendered three goals in the first period.
Kolzig has been a mainstay of the franchise and a phenomenal goaltender for his team. I think he deserves more than to be riding the pine behind a kid with his whole career ahead of him. Kolzig’s career is almost entirely behind him and this could be his last shot at glory. He is a solid netminder with playoff experience who could be just the cure for what’s currently ailing his club.
The Flyers pasted the Capitals tonight, 6-3. The last tally came with the open net, but the five before were the result of Philly outplaying a beleaguered looking Caps side.
Washington has a core of young players. Maybe they don’t realize that they’re going to have to give more to keep playing. Maybe they’ll realize that when they’re making tee times in two games. Or maybe they’re aware the only cup they’re heading for is the one with the flag in it and they’re going to show back up in Game Four.
I certainly hope it’s the latter.