Caps' Scoring Woes Continue As They Falter Against Flyers
Flyers 3, Capitals 2
Tomas Fleischmann, left, gets the puck past Antero Niittymaki in the first period. The Capitals came out swinging, but Philadelphia wore them down.
(Toni L. Sandys - The Post)
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Saturday, November 3, 2007
With each shot they bury into an opposing goaltender's pads, every attempt they misfire from point-blank range, the level of concern inside the Washington Capitals' locker room about their inability to score is growing.
The important thing is preventing that concern from escalating to full-blown frustration, veteran goaltender Olie Kolzig said in a hushed voice following last night's 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers at Verizon Center.
"It's what we have to keep from happening. It's easy to get frustrated," said Kolzig, who made 26 saves. "It's up to us to keep it from becoming frustration."
The loss was the injury-depleted Capitals' second in 48 hours and eighth in the past 10 games after opening the season with three consecutive victories.
Considering their problems scoring, the Capitals' seven-goal performance in Toronto on Monday has started to look like an aberration. Because since that season-best offensive outburst, they've accounted for only two goals in 133 minutes 43 seconds, dating from the third period of the blowout at Air Canada Centre. For the season, they are averaging 2.53 goals per game.
And that's not nearly enough.
"You sort of thought we put it to bed with the Toronto game," Capitals Coach Glen Hanlon said. "Everything seemed to be bouncing in off sticks [against the Maple Leafs]. You sort of get lost for words on scoring, but we'll just keep on doing what we need to do."
Last night, the Capitals came out fast, outshooting the Flyers 14-6 in the opening 20 minutes and taking a 1-0 lead into the first intermission on a goal by Tomas Fleischmann.
But Philadelphia, much improved from the club the Capitals swept last season, seized control from the Capitals in the second period and held on in the third.
Daniel Briere, Mike Richards and R.J. Umberger scored the game's next three goals as the Capitals started taking unnecessary penalties. Philadelphia's backup goaltender, Antero Niittymaki, made sure the visitors' lead stood up, making 24 saves.
Alex Ovechkin, though, made the Flyers sweat it out. He extended his scoring streak against the Flyers to eight games with 4:08 remaining when he fired a power-play slap shot over Niittymaki's shoulder.
But despite having six attackers for the final minute, the Capitals weren't able to get the equalizer past Niittymaki.
