The Flyers dropped their 6th straight last night losing to the Capitals 4-1.
The 6th straight loss ties the franchise record for consecutive losses also tied earlier this year.
Mike Knuble scored the only Flyers goal early in the first, the Caps scored the next 4.
Peter Forsberg who looked good with his new skates in the first period sat out the rest with a possible concussion. He will be evaluated today.
Coach John Stevens
“The big thing with guys like Ovechkin and Crosby is you have to match their passion and work ethic. You have to come ready to work or they’re going to beat you.”
That has been a big problem this year with the Flyers the passion and work ethic needed to win is just not there. There is no desperation in their play that is needed to make the playoffs this year. If the play doesn’t pick up by the start of January, then there is no chance for any play after April 8. Heck some are saying that now.
Alexei Zhitnik who was able to make it in from New York on time, played almost 22 minutes was minus -2 and picked up 2 minor penalties.
Zhitnik was paired with Hatcher, Pitkanen with Timonen, Jones with Picard.
Right Wing Darren Reid made his Flyers debut called up from the Phantoms. Matt Ellison was sent back before the game after playing several games with the Flyers. Scott Munroe was called up to backup Niitty in goal. Reid replaced Kapanen who was out with injury.
Rathje, Carter, Richards, Sanderson, Esche and Gauthier were the other Flyers out with injuries.
Something ‘new’ that has been going around the hockey broadcasts lately is having the play-by-play at ice level between the benches. Comcast Sportsnet Balitmore/Washington did this last night. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin called the game from ice level standing between the two benches. I can see how having someone down there that can hear and report some of the communication going on at the benches can be entertaining for the TV watching audience, but besides that it is irritating as hell. I don’t care if Beninati almost got hit by a stick or if Laughlin got snowed. Telling the TV viewing audience what is happening to THEM during play doesn’t add anything to the watching experience. The play-by-play guy still needs a monitor to follow play, which is when he is actually doing his job. This isn’t rocket science, when the puck is in play the play-by-play guy calls the game which means call what is happening on the ice. When there is a play stoppage the color guy can add his color. Is this so hard?