Coming off an embarrassing 6-2 defeat to the New York Rangers on Monday night, the Flyers responded well. It was going to be difficult to play any worse, but nonetheless, Philadelphia trailed yet again ten minutes in. Despite allowing the first goal, as per tradition, the Flyers carried a lead into the third period for the second time in the last 15 games. The Flyers had not held a lead at any point in a game since March 2 in Toronto, where they conceded that lead after just 2:48. They’ve stopped the bleeding with a nice win at home, salting away the clock quite easily.
The Basics
First Period: 9:51 – Ryan Leonard (PPG) (Alexander Ovechkin, Pierre-Luc Dubois)
Second Period: 4:23 – Travis Konecny (Travis Sanheim, Alex Bump), 12:13 – Trevor Zegras (Owen Tippett)
Third Period: 7:17 – Jamie Drysdale (Noah Cates, Cam York), 18:57 – Owen Tippett (ENG) (Christian Dvorak, Noah Cates)
SOG: 21 (PHI) – 22 (WSH)
Takeaways
Special teams continues letting them down
The Flyers, specifically Owen Tippett and Trevor Zegras, were noticeably quicker tonight. Each drew penalties in the first period, but the 30th ranked power play in hockey failed to convert. This recurring theme has haunted Philadelphia for half a decade at this point. It didn’t burn them tonight, but if they want to compete, they’ll need to solve this problem; we’ve all thought about this at great lengths already.
Not only that, the penalty kill, fresh off surrendering three goals to the Rangers, failed to keep Alex Ovechkin’s unit off the scoresheet. It’s hard to beat them up about that– nobody’s stopped them for 20 years– but the Flyers have lost the benefit of the doubt by now. They ended up finishing strong when it mattered most, while also defending the 6-on-5 well at the end of the game.
Trevor Zegras and Owen Tippett dominate
It was clear from the beginning which players had the juice in this one. Zegras and Tippett were a cut above the rest, with Carl Grundstrom providing support on the wing. Particularly encouraging is Zegras’s offensive output while playing center, something he has to prove he can do more regularly if he wants to stay at the position long-term. The duo had eight shots on goal and two goals.
The ol’ give-and-go-and-give-and-go!#WSHvsPHI | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/dDPDXarY7C
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 12, 2026
This is one of the most visually pleasing goals scored all year– and there could have been more like it. Tippett’s speed was giving Washington fits, and they had a few nice defensive plays to prevent two or three more breakaway opportunities for the speedy winger. Games like this one are a stark reminder of what Owen Tippett is capable of at his peak. He was flying tonight, and with a little luck, could have had three or four goals; the empty-netter was a well-deserved bit of luck after nearly being blocked.
Jamie Drysdale bounced back
It’s hard to single anyone out when you lose 6-2 to the worst team in the Eastern Conference, but Drysdale and Cam York had a rough night on Monday. Tonight was a different story, at least for Drysdale, as he was buzzing in the offensive zone early and often. It wouldn’t be a big surprise to see this pairing broken up after tonight, given the defensive struggles, but Drysdale was a consistent threat to activate.
Jamie the sharpshooter. 🎯#WSHvsPHI | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/tscsI4s4u8
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 12, 2026
Drysdale was finally rewarded during 4-on-4 for a big goal in the third period. His patience to create a shooting lane in the high slot has improved leaps and bounds, and his offensive production is starting to climb a little in recent weeks. He’s now tied for the lead among Flyer blue-liners with 27 points. Speaking of York, he had a nice breakup on a scoring chance by Tom Wilson after Wilson got in behind him and Drysdale. York is clearly playing safer to allow Drysdale to operate, and while it’s not the most ideal use of his talents, he deserves credit for a good game, playing over 23 minutes.
Denver Barkey, Noah Cates, and Matvei Michkov may not work
We’re probably seeing the end of the Barkey, Noah Cates, and Matvei Michkov line. Even by the eye test, they weren’t at all noticeable, and the advanced numbers backed that up. Rick Tocchet certainly noticed, limiting Barkey’s ice pretty early on. Despite the fewest time on ice as a collective, this trio allowed the most Expected Goals of any line at 5-on-5.
While Noah Cates salvaged his night with two assists, he and Barkey played the least of Flyer forwards in this one. This is two games in a row that this line has been hammered by the advanced statistics, and Michkov wasn’t able to score to make it more palatable. We know Tocchet is looking for any reason to pull Michkov out of the right wing position, but they’re not doing themselves any favors playing like this.
Sam Ersson quietly solid
This wasn’t a very high-event game, but Ersson did what he needed to do. Ryan Leonard was feeling it tonight for Washington; he beat Ersson on the power play to open the scoring before ringing one off the post in the third. The other Capitals didn’t generate much until their late push to tie the game, down two goals. Ersson stopped a Tom Wilson breakaway before closing the door on Washington.
Ersson needs to play well — he’s auditioning for not just a job here, but in the NHL next season — and this is a good way to start. 21 saves on 22 shots, good for a .954 save percentage, and a 1.94 Goals Saved Above Expected. This was one of his best games of the year.
