Flyers Lose 5–2 in Washington: Apparently That Winning Streak Was a Free Trial
By Jawn Kruk | Side Jawn Sports
October 29, 2026
Well, that was a nice little stretch when the Flyers were winning games and we could watch hockey without staring at the ceiling afterward. Apparently, that package expired.
The Flyers lost 5–2 to the Capitals on Wednesday night, their third straight defeat, dropping them to 3–8–4. Three wins in 15 games. Halloween isn’t until Saturday, but this record is already scaring the shit out of me.
And the frustrating part? There are players giving you reasons to keep watching. Then the team spends the rest of the night making you question that decision.
The Good: Michkov Keeps Giving Us Something
Matvei Michkov scored his ninth goal of the season on the power play, with Denver Barkey and Trevor Zegras getting the assists. That cut Washington’s lead to 3–2 in the third period.
For a moment, you could talk yourself into it. One bounce, one good shift, and maybe we’re stealing something here.
That’s the trap. They know we’re going to fall for it, too.
Michkov remains a reason to turn the game on. The skill is there, the production is there, and when he gets an opportunity around the net, you actually expect something good to happen. What a lovely concept. We should try spreading that feeling around the roster.
Sean Couturier also got his first goal of the season, redirecting a Nick Seeler shot. Good to see the captain get one. Hopefully, that gets him going, because this team needs offense from more places than the usual emergency exits.
The Bad: Thanks for the Brief Appearance, Momentum
Alex Tuch had Washington ahead just 1:50 into the game. Nothing settles you into a night of Flyers hockey quite like immediately having to play from behind.
Couturier tied it in the second, but Jordan Kyrou put Washington back ahead on the power play. Aliaksei Protas then made it 3–1.
So much for getting comfortable.
Then came Michkov’s goal and that little flicker of hope. Kyrou answered with his second of the night just over three minutes later. Tuch eventually added the empty-netter to seal it against Capitals netminder Logan Thompson, who stopped 23 of our 25 shots.
The Flyers got within one and couldn’t make Washington sweat for very long. I don’t need a dramatic comeback every night. I’d settle for making the other team mildly inconvenienced.
The Ugly: We’re Back Here Already
My biggest issue is how quickly that three-game winning streak has disappeared into another three-game skid.
I’m willing to be patient with young players. Mistakes happen. Development takes time. Nobody sensible expects every kid to arrive as a finished product.
But patience gets a hell of a workout when the team keeps finding itself chasing games.
Joseph Woll finished with 25 saves. There’s plenty to examine across the lineup before treating the guy in the crease like the entire customer complaint department.
And yes, this was the second night of a back-to-back following Tuesday’s overtime battle with Columbus. I understand tired legs. I also understand fans are getting tired of having a reason ready for another loss.
My Take:
I’m still watching for Michkov, for the young guys, and for signs this thing is moving somewhere. There’s talent worth caring about here.
But the standard can’t become “well, at least somebody scored a nice goal.”
The Flyers return home Sunday against Utah. Give us something we can carry into the next game besides another individual bright spot buried under a loss.
The orange and black already match Halloween. We don’t need the hockey to be horrifying, too.
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