When the Washington Capitals went up 3-0 in their first-round series, the Philadelphia Flyers were miserable and their fans were chucking wristbands on the ice. It looked like there would be an ignominious end to what was a feel-good story.
Instead, the Flyers made things a lot more interesting, falling in Game 6 while their fans gave them a heartfelt ovation. It all felt more fitting for Philly’s overachieving 2015-16 season.
Of course, Michal Neuvirth deserves an enormous share of the credit. He was absolutely fantastic in replacing Steve Mason, but likely Vezina winner Braden Holtby ultimately won that staring contest.
.@Holts170 registered his 20th career playoff win to tie Olie Kolzig for the most in @washcaps history. #WSHvsPHI pic.twitter.com/b8QaHEAO4Q
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 24, 2016
Nicklas Backstrom scored the only goal of the game as the Capitals won 1-0 to lock down this series 4-2.
Once Philly got back into the thick of things, this was a tight, hard-hitting series. The Capitals faced some tests in the first round that might just provide lessons as they hope to finally make a deep run with Alex Ovechkin & Co.
There might be some feeling of regret for the Flyers, particularly from this game. Philly received an extended 5-on-3 power play in which they likely were lucky to get both calls, yet they didn’t muster many high-level chances against a spry Holtby.
Ryan White takes a stick from his own teammate and the Caps get a 4 minute penalty pic.twitter.com/AfB0NUlTOl
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) April 24, 2016
Excluding ENG, #Flyers averaged 0.83 goals per game in series.#Caps
— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) April 24, 2016
The Flyers are going to be thinking about that tepid 5-on-3 power play for a long time
— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) April 24, 2016
Still, the Flyers redeemed themselves in what you might even call a ... classy manner.
Cant question Flyers effort and hunger this season
— Tim Panaccio (@tpanotchRET) April 24, 2016
Question: do you think they wished the Capitals good luck against Sidney Crosby and the hated Pittsburgh Penguins?