Live blog: Washington Capitals defeat Philadelphia Flyers 6-4

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Game preview

The Washington Capitals are back home at Capital One Arena tonight for another “Regular-Season Game 7.” The Caps season (I know you’ve heard this before) could all come down to winning tonight’s game, a tilt against Metropolitan Division rival Philadelphia, in regulation.

The Flyers enter tonight’s game on an eight-game road winning streak, tying a franchise record. Their play of late has surged them back into the race for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference currently held by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Columbus has 88 points, the Flyers have 86 points, and our dear Capitals have 83.

If you need a further breakdown on the Capitals’ playoff odds, read this great story by me, Ian. Great job, Ian.

Tom Wilson will play in his 900th career NHL game tonight, becoming the third-youngest player in Capitals history to reach the mark, which is kinda staggering when you think about it. To me, and sure, I’m a homer, but he is simply, already, one of the greatest Capitals players of all time and one of the best power forwards in NHL history.

David Kampf will prove that he is indeed a real person and make his Capitals debut after being acquired by the team via trade at the beginning of the month. Logan Thompson will get the start in net. Ethen Frank will be a healthy scratch.

Watch the game along with us on Monumental Sports Network. Joe Beninti and Craig Laughlin have the call. Should be a fun one!

Lines

Washington Capitals

Philadelphia Flyers

Goalie matchup

Tunnel shenanigans

1st Period

The Capitals held a moment of silence for Bill Riley who passed away recently.

Puck is dropped. Ovechkin-Strome-McMichael and Fehervary-Sandin get the start.

Vladar stops Sourdif, who skates down the right wing on a two-on-one with Anthony Beauvillier.

Capitals push the Flyers PK’ers deep into the zone, but can’t do much with the open real estate.

Tom Wilson gets a huge standing ovation from the Capital One Arena crowd after they play a tribute video reaching 900 career games.

Cole Hutson hauls down Travis Sanheim in the offensive zone by the sideboards. Flyers go to their first power play.

Thompson stops Noah Cates from point-blank range.

Logan Thompson gives up a big rebound, but Rasmus Sandin blocks the puck as Travis Konecny shoots at the empty net. HUGE play by Sandin, who got a pat from LT afterward.

Capitals kill the penalty.

Hendrix Lapierre takes a huge hit in the defensive zone to make a good pass up the ice. Seconds later Tom Wilson scores after curling into the middle of the ice off the left wing. What a play. Great hockey.

Alex Ovechkin finds a loose puck in the crease and scores his 927th career goal. He hits 30 goals for the 20th time in his NHL career.

Alex Ovechkin scores 927th career goal, hits 30 goals in a season for NHL-record 20th time

Dubois with a huge hit on Sanheim at the Capitals bench. Caps and Flyers are going after each other at the benches. Refs let it go, but seconds later, Wilson and Konecy start shoving each other. Zegras and McMichael go to the box for matching minors for slashing.

At intermission: The Capitals lead 2-0. The Flyers outshot the Caps 11-5 in the first period.

Tom Wilson honored by Capitals with tribute video for 900th career game, scores game-opening goal

2nd Period

Puck is dropped.

Sanheim scores 39 seconds in, but the goal is immediately waived off for goaltender interference.

Flyers are challenging the ruling on the ice for no goaltender interference.

Good goal. Martin Fehervary’s stick hit LT’s skates causing the commotion, so the call is overturned. Sanheim’s got a good goal.

Miro and Kampf can’t connect on a 2-on-1 but they were close.

Skill play. Uh oh. We’re tied.

Leonard sets up Chychrun for a huge one-timer from the point to give the Capitals back the lead.

Cole Hutson whiffs on a keep-in in the offensive zone and he takes another penalty. The rookie mistakes are becoming more persistent, but we are a forgiving fan base. We’re still members of Cole Nation.

Caps kill the penalty.

Play “Free Bird”! Ryan Leonard scores on the PP from the right circle. Leonard now has six goals in his last 13.

Capitals have four goals on 13 shots. Not usually a recipe to win, but we are in strange times.

At intermission: The Capitals lead 4-2. Shots are 16-13 Flyers.

3rd Period

Puck is dropped.

Thirty-three seconds into the period, Caps play some terrible defense and now it’s a one-goal game. This is why the team is in the position it’s in.

Zegras hurting after being high-sticked but not detected by officials.

Incredible setup feed by Connor McMichael gives Alex Ovechkin his 2nd of the night. He’s now up to 928 career goals.

Barkey scores on a tip-in. It’s a one-goal game again. Flyers will not go away.

Matching minors to Justin Sourdif and Emil Andrae for roughing. 4v4 hockey. Gives the Flyers more space and they have been skating well tonight.

Hendrix Lapierre gets checked head first into the Capitals bench. Quick line change!

Sourdif misses a 10 foot pass, goes for an icing.

Caps after draw, Ovechkin’s clear is a turnover right to the Flyers at the blue line. They reload, Rasmus Ristolainen draws a tripping penalty after speeding past Dylan Strome. Silly mistakes adding up here.

Caps kill the penalty.

Tom from way downtown. He’s got 2 in his 900th career game.

Justin Sourdif cross-checks Travis Konecny in the back of the head after being put in a headlock in the corner.

Capitals defeat Flyers 6-4. I love it. Capitals may have extinguished the Flyers postseason dreams. They deserve each other. 🙂

Caps beat Flyers 6-4 as ageless Alex Ovechkin scores two more

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