FLYERS SNAP FOUR-GAME SKID WITH 4-2 WIN OVER CAPITALS

Drysdale Ends 20-Game Goal Drought; Vladar Makes 26 Saves as Philadelphia Halts Losing Streak

Philadelphia Flyers 4, Washington Capitals 2
February 3, 2026 | Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA

Jamie Drysdale scored the go-ahead goal on a power play late in the third period, and the Philadelphia Flyers ended their four-game skid with a 4-2 victory against the Washington Capitals at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Tuesday night.

Rasmus Ristolainen had a goal and an assist, Owen Tippett and Carl Grundstrom also scored, and Dan Vladar made 26 saves for Philadelphia (25-20-10), which was 0-3-1 in its previous four games. Washington (28-23-7) had its three-game winning streak snapped.

“It’s a huge bounce back game,” Tippett said. “We finished the game out and didn’t let old habits creep in. I think we stuck with it all the way through. Glad we got the win.”

HOW IT HAPPENED

Tippett put the Flyers ahead 1-0 at 5:56 of the first period, taking a pass from Travis Sanheim on the right side and cutting to the net to tuck the puck around Clay Stevenson’s left pad. It was the first time in five games Philadelphia scored first after falling behind early by multiple goals in their previous two contests.

“I thought we had more energy,” Sanheim said. “Thought you could tell we came out playing fast, we had some pace. Just had more jump. That’s what we talked about before the game, and in doing that we ended up making better plays and harder plays.”

Grundstrom extended the lead to 2-0 at 4:45 of the second period when his centering pass from the boards deflected in off the skate of Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun. It was Grundstrom’s first goal in 14 games after being a healthy scratch the previous two contests.

The Capitals battled back with Aliaksei Protas finishing a shorthanded 2-on-1 rush with Anthony Beauvillier at 8:12 of the second to cut it to 2-1. Protas, playing his 300th NHL game, notched his fourth career shorthanded goal.

Beauvillier tied it 2-2 at 2:40 of the third period, getting the rebound of Trevor van Riemsdyk’s shot past Vladar after a quick touch from Justin Sourdif.

“It felt like we generated most of the offensive plays in the third period,” Beauvillier said. “Obviously, Clay played an unbelievable game and kept us in a game when we’re down two. It just [stinks] to come up short and walk out of here without points.”

But Drysdale gave Philadelphia the lead for good at 14:37 when Trevor Zegras found him at the center of the blue line, and his shot went through a screen past Stevenson for the defenseman’s first goal in 21 games.

“I think I’ve had my chances, to be honest with you, I just couldn’t put the puck in the net,” Drysdale said. “Guys did a great job finding me, finding holes, and it was nice to see it go in.”

Ristolainen sealed it with an empty-netter at 19:43, his first goal since Feb. 25, 2025.

SCORING SUMMARY

First Period
5:56 PHI – Owen Tippett (19) (Sanheim, Michkov) – 1-0 PHI

Second Period
4:45 PHI – Carl Grundstrom (8) (Deslauriers, Ristolainen) – 2-0 PHI
8:12 WSH – Aliaksei Protas (19) SH (Beauvillier) – 2-1 PHI

Third Period
2:40 WSH – Anthony Beauvillier (12) (Sourdif, van Riemsdyk) – 2-2 TIE
14:37 PHI – Jamie Drysdale (4) PP (Zegras, Konecny) – 3-2 PHI
19:43 PHI – Rasmus Ristolainen (1) EN (Konecny) – 4-2 PHI

BY THE NUMBERS

Shots: WSH 28, PHI 22
Power Play: WSH 0-for-3, PHI 1-for-1
Penalty Minutes: WSH 16, PHI 2
Faceoffs: WSH 28-of-55 (50.9%), PHI 27-of-55 (49.1%)
Hits: WSH 27, PHI 21
Blocked Shots: WSH 12, PHI 25
Saves: Vladar (PHI) 26-of-28, Stevenson (WSH) 18-of-21

KEY NOTES

Jamie Drysdale’s power-play goal ended a personal 20-game drought (since Dec. 14) and came from the middle of the ice with traffic in front—exactly the type of shot Flyers coach Rick Tocchet had been wanting to see.
Travis Konecny had two assists in his 700th NHL game, extending his point streak to four games with nine points (5G, 4A) during that span. It was his 15th multipoint game of the season.
Carl Grundstrom snapped a 13-game scoring drought (since Dec. 30) in his return after being scratched the previous two games.
Aliaksei Protas played his 300th NHL game and scored his fourth career shorthanded goal, first of the season.
Philadelphia ended a six-game home losing streak (0-4-2) and scored first for the first time in five games.
Washington’s six-game winning streak against Philadelphia came to an end. Clay Stevenson made 18 saves one night after stopping 29 in a 4-1 win against the New York Islanders.
Rasmus Ristolainen’s empty-net goal was his first since Feb. 25, 2025—a drought of 344 days.

THREE STARS

⭐ Jamie Drysdale (D, PHI) – 1 Goal, 0 Assists
⭐⭐ Owen Tippett (RW, PHI) – 1 Goal, 0 Assists
⭐⭐⭐ Anthony Beauvillier (LW, WSH) – 1 Goal, 1 Assist