WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Game 1 of this series between the Washington Capitals and the Philadelphia Flyers featured plenty of big hits and raw emotion. That physicality should continue to increase as this matchup progresses. The Capitals own the early series lead after a 2-0 win in Game 1 Thursday at Verizon Center. Puck drop for Game 2 is Saturday night at 7 p.m. ET.
Neither team is bothered by the physical play, but the ability to remain somewhat disciplined will be a factor moving forward. If the Flyers’ plan is to slow down the Capitals with the physical game, then coach Barry Trotz welcomes it.
“We’re built to play any game you want to play,” Trotz said. “That didn’t faze us at all. We recognize our strength and we have to be more disciplined.”
It was a case of missed opportunities for the Flyers in the first game and Capitals smothered any chance Philadelphia created. In order to have success in this series, the Flyers need to do a better job of wreaking havoc in front of Caps goalie Braden Holtby and limit his vision for seeing the puck.
Tough break: The Flyers received untimely and unfortunate news that second-line center Sean Couturier will miss at least the next two weeks with what’s being described as an upper-body injury. He was on the receiving end of a massive body check by the Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin midway through the second period in Game 1. The two were racing for the puck near the penalty boxes when Ovechkin ran through Couturier, who quickly got to his feet and skated off the ice, holding his arm, his left shoulder down, and did not return. With Couturier sidelined, it’s likely Scott Laughton will be in the lineup for Game 2.
“He played well in New York the other night, so he’s got a game under his belt in case we need to put him in the lineup,” said Flyers coach Dave Hakstol. “Obviously, got to think of different line combinations that he may go with and he’s a pretty versatile player. I know if we need him, he’ll be ready to go ... . He’s an intense player and he plays with a lot of speed and pace and a little bit of grit.”
Laughton played 71 games this season and had seven goals and 14 assists for 21 points, and was minus-2.
After Couturier left the game, second-line winger Brayden Schenn moved to the middle and could remain there for Game 2.
“He’s been able to do that for us throughout the year, so if we need to make that change, I know he’ll be comfortable doing it,” Hakstol said. "He’s very comfortable in both of those spots. In fact, all three spots up front."
Really special teams: With a power-play goal and a perfect 4-for-4 for the penalty-killing unit, the Capitals won this battle en route to victory in Game 1. The Flyers failed to convert and that was the big difference.
“We’ve got to get a little hungrier,” Hakstol said. “We had some good opportunities. Both units generated some good opportunities and we can work on being a little more consistent in generating those opportunities. Most importantly, we’ve got to be a little bit hungrier to finish off one of those good opportunities.”
The Flyers have a strong power-play unit and were moving the puck well, but the Capitals’ PK kept them to the perimeter and out of striking distance. When the Flyers gain those opportunities again, they need more quality shots and heavier traffic in front Holtby.
Blocked shots: The ability and willingness to block shots is a fine art during the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Flyers’ Jakub Voracek described it as a player needing to have the wherewithal to dive in front of the six ounces of vulcanized rubber traveling at a high rate of speed. In Game 1, the Capitals had 23 blocked shots, while the Flyers had 21. Flyers defensemen were sacrificing their bodies in front of goalie Steve Mason. Brandon Manning had four, Nick Schultz had three, while Radko Gudas, Shayne Gostisbehere and Andrew MacDonald registered two blocks each. Nicklas Backstrom and Brooks Orpik had four blocked shots each for the Capitals.