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Flyers 8, Capitals 2: Five quick observations

Sam Donnellon's quick takeaways from the Flyers' 8-2 rout of the Washington Capitals.

Flyers’ players Jake Voracek and Sean Couturier gather to celebrate the goal by Claude Giroux, center.
Flyers’ players Jake Voracek and Sean Couturier gather to celebrate the goal by Claude Giroux, center.Read moreCHRIS SZAGOLA / AP
    by Sam Donnellon | Columnist
    Published 

Quick takes after the Flyers  8-2 victory over Washington Saturday night:

1 The Flyers have been deeper and faster than every team they have played this season. Significantly. Some of this may be due to injuries (Anaheim), or salary cap concerns (Washington), but after five games, you certainly sense a sea change.

2 Jake Voracek now has eight points – all assists — in his first five games. His assist on Wayne Simmonds power play goal to make it 3-1 looked like a magic trick. Sean Couturier scored twice  last night andnow has three for the season. Claude Giroux had a pair too, one directly a result of Couturier's hustle. I'd say that first line is working out just fine.

3 Nolan Patrick has not been the dominant force people expected when he was drafted in June. Which was a ridiculous expectation anyway. He's barely 19 years old, and coming off significant summer surgery to mend a new core muscle injury and repair a previous one. Still, zero shots and a single hit over 17 shifts and 13:26 of ice time on a night when 4th line centerman Scott Laughton had a pair of goals, suggests a rookie who may be slightly overwhelmed right now.

4 That said, Patrick's numbers are not much different thus far than top pick Nico Hischier, who notched his second assist in the Devils 3-2 victory over the Rangers Saturday. Patrick, with a goal and an assist, has as many points.

5 Philipp Grubauer is not Braden Holtby: Captain Obvious says you are welcome.