Laughton regained consciousness and appeared to have use of his hands, but he was taken off on a stretcher and sent to Jefferson Hospital. After the game, a 2-1 win for the Flyers, the team announced tests were negative and Laughton would remain hospitalized overnight for precautionary reasons.
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It was a terrifying scene in Philadelphia as Flyers center Scott Laughton crashed into the boards after taking a hard check from Washington Capitals’ John Carlson. After the whistle, he briefly moved his legs and arms before a trainer tended to him.
Washington scored four times in the final period to break open what was a one-goal game as Flyers fans pelted the ice with plastic bracelets and other trash while players and the team’s PA announcer implored them to stop.
After the first two games, both losses, the Flyers didn’t think change was necessary.
Laughton’s teammates dedicated the season-saving win to their fallen teammate.
“That is my role here”, he said about his physical play. “I was thinking about him”.
Michal Neuvirth used to get under Ryan White’s skin. “It’s going to be interesting, I’m not sure what’s going to happen”.
“I was just finding my rhythm”, Neuvirth said. “From the second period, I was feeling really good and just really happy with the effort tonight”.
If you’re looking for some sort of hype video, that special something to give you a heightened sense of adrenaline heading into Game 4 of the Capitals’ opening round playoff series with the Flyers, CSN Mid-Atlantic’s Michael Jenkins has your fix. Game 5 is at Verizon Center in Washington on Friday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports, CSN-PH, CSN-DC).
Caps coach Barry Trotz, naturally, also was anxious. The Capitals didn’t challenge Neuvirth early because of Philadelphia’s strong defensive game, but Neuvirth made the timely saves, including a few in the third period, to secure the victory.
Colin Wilson skated on the second line with Mike Ribeiro and Filip Forsberg with Miikka Salomaki moving into Wilson’s spot on the third line.
Neuvirth, a former Capitals goalie prospect, suffered a lower-body injury and was sidelined from March 19 to April 9.
Neuvirth, 28, temporarily unseated Steve Mason as Philadelphia’s starter for the early part of the season. The Capitals seemed only remotely interested during the first two periods before flipping the switch.
From there, the Flyers held on after a furious third-period Capitals rally.
Anaheim switched back to goalie Frederik Andersen for Game 3, and he posted a shutout that helped settle down the Ducks.
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Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said the team has to stay focused if it wants to stage a comeback. “I believe in myself and I like it”. He had a good career up until that moment I guess. In fact, the Flyers had only two penalties the entire game. “A Flyer Forever”, it reads, printed below Ed Snider’s signature and the superimposition of his likeness over the Flyers’ logo.
