The Washington Capitals are back on the ice to face off against the Philadelphia Flyers and folks, there are stakes! With a win the Capitals can become the first team to 100 standings points. Meanwhile, it’s possible the Caps could be the first team in the NHL to clinch a playoff spot if they get some help from other teams.
Alex Ovechkin will continue his chase of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record. Coming into tonight’s game, Ovechkin is currently at 887 career goals — 8 away from the record.
Charlie Lindgren will get the start in net and face Samuel Ersson.
Puck drop for Caps-Flyers is set for 7 pm on Monumental Sports Network. Joe Beninati and Alan May have the call.
Lines
Washington Capitals
Philadelphia Flyers
Tunnel shenanigans
1st Period
Puck is dropped.
Alex Ovechkin is noticeably playing and lining up on the right wing tonight.
Taylor Raddysh opts for a pedestrian slap shot down the right wing on a breakaway. You will be surprised to learn he did not, in fact, score.
Barely any whistles, barely anything happening. I’m not sure what you expect me to write here or analyze beyond this game may be over during the 8 pm hour.
🚨 1-0 Washington Capitals. WSH Goal: Alex Ovechkin (35). Assists: A. Protas (33), T. van Riemsdyk (17). Time: 14:25.
Ovi goal number 888!!! He shanked it, but the great setup by Protas gave it enough time to squeak by Ersson.
Charlie Lindgren makes a flashy reaction blocker save on Travis Konecny to keep the Capitals in front.
At intermission: The Capitals are up 1-0 after 2o minutes on the back of Ovechkin’s 888th career goal. The Caps outshot the Flyers 6 to 5, and the five-on-five shot attempts were split 13 apiece.
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
🚨 2-0 Washington Capitals. WSH Goal: Brandon Duhaime (8). Assists: M. Roy (20), A. Beauvillier (8). Time: 01:56.
Anthony Beauvillier finds the late man Matt Roy for a hard shot that Brandon Duhaime deflects past Ersson.
Tom Wilson takes the first penalty of the game, hooking on Tyson Foerster. Also, the first Capitals penalty since 17:36 into the second period of their game in San Jose last Saturday.
Nic Dowd draws a tripping penalty on Foerster after the Caps had killed off 1:45 of the Flyers’ power play.
Nothing for either team while up a man. Ersson made two stops on Ovechkin.
🚨 3-0 Washington Capitals. WSH Goal: Andrew Mangiapane (12). Assists: A. Beauvillier (9). Time: 11:06.
Another brilliant feed from Beauvillier gives Andrew Mangipane a clean look to beat Ersson.
You won’t believe it – the Capitals took another too many men on the ice penalty.
Ersson gets some revenge on Mangiapane, making a stop on him after the Capitals had a 3-on-1, odd-man rush.
Great pass from Wilson, but Connor McMichael can’t beat Ersson down low.
At intermission: The Capitals are up 3-0 after converting twice in the second frame. The Caps are still outshooting the Flyers 14-12 and are now on top in five-on-five shot attempts 28 to 21.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped.
🚨 3-1 Washington Capitals. PHI Goal: Ryan Poehling (6). Assists: Unassisted. Time: 05:10.
Ryan Poehling gets a little help from Jakob Chychrun to end Lindgren’s shutout bid.
John Carlson had the Capitals back up three goals, but the Flyers successfully challenged for a missed stoppage. Hand pass on Beauvillier.
Huge save from Lindgren on Konecny to keep the Caps up two. Konecny then had a near 2-on-0 breakaway and couldn’t convert that either.
Lindgren has been under siege in the final half of the third period, making another big stop on a Noah Cates stuff attempt.
The Flyers have pulled Ersson for an extra attacker with 3:30 left in the final frame.
Philadelphia believes they have scored. Sean Couturier jammed Lindgren’s blocker glove and the puck over the goal line. On-ice call is no goal for goaltender interference.
🚨 3-2 Washington Capitals. PHI Goal: Sean Couturier (11). Assists: R. Poehling (13), Owen Tippett (18). Time: 17:24.
Call was overturned. Good goal.
Capitals win 3-2.
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