The Washington Capitals opened up their 2024 preseason schedule with a 6-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday afternoon. The Capitals assembled a roster chock full of the organization’s top prospects and minor leaguers, falling to a Philadelphia team deploying much of what will be their regular season lineup.
Top prospects Andrew Cristall and Ivan Miroshnichenko scored Washington’s two goals. Hunter Shepard and Clay Stevenson, the Hershey Bears’ goaltending tandem from last season, split the game in net and each gave up three goals. Washington also dropped the preplanned shootout, failing to score on any of their three attempts.
Observations
- Cristall was by far Washington’s most impressive skater in the loss. In addition to scoring the team’s first goal, he created a breakaway chance by turning a puck over at the Capitals’ blueline, was instrumental on the power play from the half wall, and showed off the extra step in his skating that he’s developed over the past year. He also led all Capitals forwards in ice time (17:43).
- The first line, featuring Hendrix Lapierre, Ethen Frank, and Jakub Vrana struggled mightily despite getting reps together over the first few days of camp. Lapierre was on the ice for four of Philadelphia’s goals and zero for the Capitals. At five-on-five overall, Washington held negative differentials with them on the ice in shot attempts (-2) and high-danger chances (-3).
- Ethan Bear led the team in ice time by over two minutes, skating 22:22 and playing at all three strengths. The game was Bear’s first since coming out of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program. He was caught puck-watching on one of Philadelphia’s early goals but rebounded in the back half of the game.
- The club’s fourth line was led down the middle by recent draftee, Eriks Mateiko. The giant Latvian was noticeably physical, even getting called for boarding in the third period. Mateiko, who is a natural winger, struggled in the faceoff circle, losing 10 of 12 draws.
- Terik Parascak, Washington’s 2024 first-round draft pick, made his preseason debut and picked up an assist on Miroshnichenko’s power play snipe. The Capitals controlled five-on-five play with him on the ice despite him never seeing an offensive-zone zone start.
- The Capitals 2024 draft pick most accustomed to competing against pro talent is probably defenseman Leon Muggli and that was clear on Sunday. Muggli, a veteran of the Swiss National League at just 18 years old, played over two minutes on both the power play and penalty kill to go along with 13:39 of five-on-five ice time. In those latter minutes with him on the ice, Washington held positive differentials in shot attempts (+13), scoring chances (+11), and high-danger chances (+3).
Washington will have Monday off and are expected to make the first cuts to their Training Camp roster before traveling to Boston to play the Bruins on Tuesday night. The Capitals will play six total preseason games before opening the regular season against the New Jersey Devils on October 12.
