Rick Tocchet's emotional message leaves Flyers Nation completely speechless

Rick Tocchet says he's glad the Philadelphia Flyers lost 5-1, and David Jiricek felt the sting more than anyone.

Philadelphia closed the preseason Saturday night with a 5-1 home loss to Washington, despite outshooting the Capitals 37-24.

"I'm actually glad we lost 5-1," Tocchet said. "It's a little humbling, which is good for us. ... Sometimes you're not as good as you think you are."

The coach saw a familiar script. "We had a bunch of chances, we don't score," he said. "Every time they shot, they scored."

Jamie Drysdale scored the lone goal, and the 1-0 second-period lead lasted just 4:01. "Ugly, that's the only way to talk about that game," he said.

Then the second period fell apart. Jiricek committed the turnover that led to Maxim Schafer's go-ahead goal, making it 2-1.

Daniel Briere sticks with David Jiricek after a rough finale

Less than five minutes later, he was whistled for high-sticking, and Washington scored on the power play. He finished minus-3.

Daniel Briere isn't pulling the plug. "He didn't get beat by anyone to lose his job," the GM said. "He's going to start on the roster."

Waivers are part of the math. The 22-year-old is no longer exempt, and he arrived in last season's Bobby Brink trade.

Keeping him is the right call, but the leash should be short. A turnover and a high-sticking minor that both end up in your net will get a defenseman scratched in October.

Tocchet wants a response. "Being a pro, you've got to bounce back," he said. "We'll get to him, get some video."

The crease was part of it too. Aleksei Kolosov allowed five goals on 24 shots, including a stoppable one from Theodor Niederbach early in the third.

Tocchet has a point, but humbling is a generous word for losing by four with a 13-shot edge.

It's like cooking a five-course meal and burning every dish right before serving.

The power play didn't help, going 0 for 4 despite eight minutes of first-period time.

There was better news on Dan Vladar. Briere called his upper-body status "very promising" and said he "should be ready" for the opener.

Denver Barkey is day-to-day with a lower-body injury and might not make it for the first game.

Owen Tippett insisted "morale is high." The Flyers open Wednesday at home against Pittsburgh, then visit New Jersey the next night.

That leaves four days to turn Tocchet's lesson into results. If the finishing doesn't come around, humbling won't stay a preseason word for long.

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