Flyers-Caps: Nittymaki Slams Door In Flyers Rout

After being outshot 25-6 in the first period, the Philadelphia Flyers (18-8-6) ironically led the Washington Capitals (20-11-3) 1-0 thanks to the outstanding goaltending of Antero Nittymaki. When the clock struck zero after three periods, Nittymaki put aside 47 Washington shots as the Flyers pounded the Capitals 7-1 at the Wachovia Center Saturday afternoon. Nittymaki made his third consecutive start in favor of Martin Biron, who has the flu-bug.  Nittymaki is making a strong case for more playing time, giving his best performance of the season and arguably his career. Much of the first stanza was in front of Nittymaki, who was the backbone of four Philadelphia penalty kills.  With a little help from the posts and crossbar, Nittymaki received a standing-ovation from the sell-out crowd of 19,524 at the end of the period.  This was a re-match of last year’s Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series, which was won by the Flyers on an overtime game-winner by Joffery Lupul ... (link)