Good Effort Not Enough For Flyers, Fall to Capitals 4-3
Feb 6, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates back to the bench after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn ImagesEric Hartline/USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
The Flyers lost 4-3 in regulation against the Washington Capitals at home after a good effort. The Flyers played a good game despite having some injuries and a couple of players who had visa issues but arrived at the Wells Fargo Center mid-game.
Let’s recap the game.
The Flyers scored first and who did? It’s Matvei Michkov going low glove on a breakaway against Charlie Lindgren. Michkov started strong in this game, as he had a couple of chances early. He’s been everywhere with the rest of his line, Sean Couturier and Rodrigo Abols.
What is also surprising is that Michkov was supposed to play with Couturier and Anthony Richard but, after a few shifts, Abols replaced Richard.
Matvei Michkov is the best Russian on the ice tonight#Flyers pic.twitter.com/6zkpOBf1EE
— Philly Sports Reports (@PhlySprtsReprts) February 7, 2025
Less than 2 minutes after the Flyers’ goal, Alex Ovechkin, assisted by Martin Fehérváry and Dylan Strome tied the game for the Capitals. The shot from Ovechkin beat Ivan Fedotov on the blocker side and has him 16 goals away from Wayne Gretzky‘s record.
THE #GR8'S GOT GOALS IN FOUR STRAIGHT pic.twitter.com/AJcQLjKoao
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 7, 2025
Early in the second period, the Capitals would get their first lead of the game. Connor McMichael, assisted by Aliaksei Protas and Jakob Chychrun, made it 2-1.
The goal was scored just after the powerplay ended for the Caps. McMichael tipped in a perfect shot through the arm of Fedetov from a Protas pass. This goal looked like it was all planned and is something that the Capitals, or those players, practice because McMichael was close to the net, but on the side of it too.
It only took Mikey 54 games to set a new career high in goals with 19 pic.twitter.com/KN6LeYb6Lx
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 7, 2025
The Flyers tied the game a few minutes later.
A powerplay goal from Tyson Foerster, who deflected a shot from Emil Andrae, beat Lindgren. Travis Konecny got an assist on the goal, making a clean pass to Andrea before his shot.
Patience pays off. #WSHvsPHI | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/8gigHfxMBn
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 7, 2025
The Flyers would then take their second lead of the night a few moments later. Michkov scored his second goal of the night off a huge play from Abols. He faked the shot to pass it straight to Michkov on a 4 on 2, led by Couturier, Michkov, Abols, and Jamie Drysdale — who also got an assisted on the goal.
The Flyers led 3-2 heading into the second intermission, 13-11 the shots for the Flyers after two periods of play.
Although the lead wouldn’t last long, as with 13:37 left in the period, Konecny failed to clear the puck which led to a chance for the Caps that would cost the Flyers a goal.
Lars Eller, assisted by Taylor Raddysh, buried a perfect shot and was also helped by Erik Johnson who tried to block the shot but ended up screening Fedotov more than anything.
Holy freaking rip there, Larry pic.twitter.com/GwxCIJwhmH
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 7, 2025
Chychrun, assisted by John Carlson and Raddysh, got the lead back for the Caps, handed ended up being the game-winner on a shot that Fedotov would like to have back. Yes, he had to move since it was a long-distance pass, but it wasn’t a perfect shot and the puck didn’t deflect.
Holy freaking rip there, Chych pic.twitter.com/4UBRMjeqt7
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 7, 2025
A goalie as tall as Fedotov should have been able to make this save. The goal was also the fault of Abols and Couturier who weren’t able to cut that pass from Carlson to Chychrun, through the Flyer’s defensive zone.
The Flyers fought until the end where they had a couple of good chances, especially in the last seconds when Foerster had the opportunity to tie the game after Lindgren let up a juicy rebound from Michkov’s initial shot.
Despite the late effort, the Flyers fell short, and have lost five straight games, moving them to 23-26-7. They have one more game on Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center against the Penguins before the 4 Nations tournament.
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Ralph Zakhour
Ralph is a social sciences student who has been a Philadelphia Flyers fan since 2010. He is from Montreal and played hockey, as a goalie, for several years. He writes articles as a hobby.
