In a new series by Philly Sports Network, we will be looking at how each guy on the Flyers’ roster fairs against the round robin and qualifying teams. Each player will be evaluated based on their points per game, as well as other factors such as average time on ice and special teams production. We will be doing this by the order of the standings. Next up, we take a look at the top performers for the Flyers against the Washington Capitals.
Number 5 – Matt Niskanen
Matt Niskanen hasn’t played much against his former team. His stats also won’t exactly jump off the page at you. He’s battled Washington 16 times in his 13 year career, and has tallied one goal while adding six assists. While that isn’t meant to impress, he is a career +12 against Washington. Say what you will about the plus/minus statistic, but it’s better to be a plus-12 than a minus-12.
Niskanen also averages just shy of 19:00 per night when playing the Capitals. This season, Niskanen has one assist in four games against the Caps. He’s a plus-four on the stat sheet, and is logging 21:36 per contest against the front runners in the Metropolitan Division.
Number 4 – Sean Couturier
One of the guys you expect to see on this list, Coots has found a fair amount of success against his division rival. In 33 career games against the Capitals, he’s put eight goals on the board, along with 15 helpers as well. One of his goals came on the powerplay, and he is a plus-10 against Washington as well. Couturier averages 19:24 per night when playing the Caps.
This season, Coots is a point-per-game player against the Capitals. In four games, Couturier has two goals and two assists, one of those goals coming on the man advantage. He’s a plus-three and is averaging just over 20 minutes per night as well.
Number 3 – Carter Hart
Putting Hart this high on the list this early in his career is bold, but so far so good. While his record stands at 1-1-1 in three games, his stat line shows some pretty solid play. Hart has 88 saves on 95 shots, good for a .926 save percentage. His goals against average stands at 2.29. Even more impressive, his stats this year only solidify this position.
Two of the three career games against Washington have come this season for Hart. He’s 1-0-1 against the Caps this season, and his stats are very impressive. He’s stopped 61 of 64 shots in those two contests, while posting a .953 save percentage and a 1.45 goals against average.
Number 2 – Jakub Voracek
Another name you would expect to see on this list, Voracek has made it a habit of racking up the points against the Capitals. Voracek has 34 points (15g, 19a) in 39 career games against Washington. His plus-10 is good for second-best on the Flyers against the Caps. He’s also averaging 17:25 per night when playing Washington.
Voracek has faced the Caps four times this season, posting four helpers and a plus-one as well. His average time on ice dips from his career mark, sitting at 17:16. Less ice time doesn’t seem to prevent Voracek from taking it to the rivals to the south.
Number 1 – Claude Giroux
Shocker, right? Claude Giroux is flat-out dominant against the Washington Capitals. In 45 career games against the Caps, Giroux has 45 points (22g, 23a). Of those 22 goals, eight of them have come while up a man. Giroux is a career plus-seven against Washington, and averages 20 minutes flat per night.
This season, Giroux has continued his dominance over the team from the nation’s capital. He has two goals and three assists in four games this year, with both tallies coming on the powerplay. Giroux is a plus-three and is averaging 18:34 per night this season against the Caps.
Check out our previous pieces to the Flying High Series as well…
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