Things started off really well for the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 3.
They honored late owner Ed Snider in a truly classy, touching fashion. The Flyers then managed a precious, early lead when they made it 1-0 against the Washington Capitals less than a minute into the contest.
The first shoe dropped when the Capitals’ power play really started to take over Game 3. After that, basically an entire department store of shoes dropped and the Flyers were humiliated on their way to a 6-1 defeat and 3-0 series score.
The 6-1 margin could probably be described as a “Name your own score.” The third period really went out of control as a questionable hit made Flyers fans restless. White wristbands were hurled onto the ice, resulting in multiple penalties against their own team. The Capitals ultimately made it a blowout by punching in a few of those opportunities.
Trotz: "(Flyers) weren't interested in playing anymore. Game got out of hand ... (Nonsense) wasn't good for the game. We're on nat'l TV."
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) April 19, 2016
(Read this post for more on the ugliness.)
Ultimately, the Capitals are up 3-0 for the first time. They’re generally making history left and right, even after their fantastic regular season.
.@washcaps hold a 3-0 lead in a best-of-7 #StanleyCup Playoffs series for first time in franchise history. #WSHvsPHI pic.twitter.com/6Q0hTHPpRQ
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 19, 2016
.@ovi8 (39-35—74) posted 2-1—3 to pass Dale Hunter (25-47—72) for most points in @washcaps playoff history #WSHvsPHI pic.twitter.com/AIHVMIoQ2Q
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 19, 2016
Holtby (@washcaps) has allowed no more than one goal in 16 of his 19 career playoff wins, incl. each of his last 13 since Game 6 of 2012 CSF
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 19, 2016
Meanwhile, the Flyers stare down the possibility of being swept. If Game 4 follows this trend, they’d likely lose most of the goodwill they generated from their improbable run to the playoffs.
There’s a long list of things that need to go differently, but special teams stick out like a sore thumb:
Caps' Powerplay now 5 for 9. Franchise Record.
— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) April 19, 2016