Coaching Does Change a Thing in Philly

Not even Peter Laviolette could make a difference as the slumping Philadelphia Flyers were booed at home during an ugly loss on Saturday against the Washington Capitals. After suffering their sixth loss in seven games last week Flyers management decided to make a coaching change as they fired John Stevens in favour of Laviolette who has an impressive coaching track record which includes a Stanley Cup ring with the 2006 Carolina Hurricanes. Even without their best player in Alex Ovechkin the Capitals are still an explosive offensive team that can’t be taken lightly. Leading the way for Washington in their 8-2 victory was young gun Nicklas Backstrom who scored one goal and four assist. Also having big games were Mike Green and Tomas Fleishmann who both had two goals. The turning point of this game which made big news on this night occurred late in the first period which left Washington with a nine minute power play. This was after an ugly incident when Flyers rugged forward Dan Carcillo punched out Caps Matt Bradley before he had a chance to drop his gloves. “Obviously not the start we wanted,” Flyers defenceman Chris Pronger said. “Getting down 1-0, we battled back to finally get a goal and start feeling good about ourselves and shoot ourselves in the foot with a nine-minute penalty that ultimately led to (three) goals.” If there was anything positive that the Flyers could take out of this game it’s that their goalless drought of 172 minutes and 10 seconds came to an end in the first when Mika Pyorala scored. It was the Flyers first goal since November 27 against the Buffalo Sabres. Laviolette pulled his goalie Ray Emery after he allowed the fifth goal early in the second. This strategy didn’t wake up his team as backup Brian Boucher yielded three goals. Concluding the game Laviolette talked about needing more discipline. He also mentioned the Carcillo incident which landed him 19 minutes in penalties including a game misconduct. ”It was pretty quick, and emotions took over,” Carcillo who talked to general manager Paul Holmgren after the game said. “I thought we were in a fight. I don’t know why he waited so long to drop his gloves.”  Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau pointed out that Bradley is one of the most popular guys on the team and therefore the team was extra pumped for their nine minute power play. One thing is for sure and that’s the fact that Carcillo didn’t endear himself to the new coach. “I’ve never seen a nine-minute power play,” Laviolette said. “My thought is the whole thing never should’ve happened. We got hit; we should’ve skated away and kept playing. If we’re going to the (penalty) box in an undisciplined manner we’re not going to win hockey games.”