“If we play a game like we did last game, I don’t think we’re going to have the same outcome, ” Giroux said. “The way we worked all year, battling to make the playoffs…to be in the position we’re in now, we’re starting to enjoy it more”. “We’ve talked about pretty much everything. I don’t think there is a need to put pressure on ourselves”.
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Michal Neuvirith was exactly what Philadelphia needed in net, making his first meaningful start since March 16th.
“He’s the guy who gave us the fighting chance”, Shayne Gostisbehere said.
Neuvirth stopped all 44 shots the Washington Capitals threw his way Friday night, carrying the Flyers to a 2-0 victory and sending the first-round playoff series back to Philadelphia for Game 6 on Sunday.
Islanders 2, Panthers 1 – John Tavares tied it in the final minute of regulation, then got the victor at 10:41 of the second overtime, leading NY past Florida and into the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1993. With Williams coming out of the penalty box White stashed a shot wide of the net that caromed off of Taylor Chorney’s skate and bounded behind Braden Holtby for the lead.
NOTES: The loss in Game 5 marked the first time all season Washington lost back-to-back games in regulation….
Despite a hardy effort in extending this rather one-sided series to six games, they know that happened only because Michal Neuvirth played the last three games of the series in brilliant fashion. Two minutes later, Brandon Manning’s point drive went just wide as Holtby was scrambling to get position. With the Capitals becoming increasingly frustrated, and the Flyers increasing in belief with every puck stopped by Neuvirth, the comeback is well and truly on.
Jay Beagle was denied on a short-handed chance after a great pass from Daniel Winnik. Even the thought of a Game 6 earlier in the week would have been unfathomable, but thanks to Neuvirth it’s a reality.
There were 19 other reasons, too … the 19 Washington shots buried, often by diving bodies, that never made it to shot-on-goal status. It simply couldn’t be anything more than it already showed itself to be. Neuvirth, who became the starting goalie in Game 4, was outstanding to keep it close, but the Flyers struggled offensively. Neuvirth was sensational again, but the Flyers were ultimately doomed by a power play that could not cash in against Holtby.
The Capitals finally solved Neuvirth 8:59 into the second period.
Alex Ovechkin, a dominating player all series, set up the goal by keeping the puck in the zone – he made nice moves to avoid Radko Gudas and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare near the blue line – and feeding Johansson.
David Perron scored the tying goal earlier in the second and assisted on Garbutt’s goal along with Ryan Getzlaf.
“Neuvy stole us a game”, Flyers forward Sam Gagner said.
On Friday morning, Schenn was asked about the cross-check. “I was able to see through the traffic and everything was going my way”.
Kuznetsov was not injured.
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“Everybody talks about all the past, the past, the past”, Caps coach Barry Trotz said.
