However, the Washington Capitals weathered the early storm, dominated the special teams battle yet again, got great goaltending from Braden Holtby and beat the Philadelphia Flyers 6-1, putting a 3-0 stranglehold on the Eastern Conference first-round playoff matchup. Marcus Johansson scored on the power play 3:46 later to tie the game and quiet the crowd.
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Philly tried to get back into the game, dominating possession and attacking opportunities for large portions of the period, but it would close with the Caps leading by two goals to one.
The Flyers found themselves pinned back for most of the opening phases of the second period, with a Gudas Roughing against Oshie being a big contributor to Washington’s chances. His whiplike stick checks, so effective in turning opponents over, are now negated by the healthy distance he keeps from the puck, lest he gets skated past.
In the second, Jason Chimera and Alex Ovechkin scored to nullify Philadelphia’s goal from Jakub Voracek as they entered the last period with a 3-1 advantage. But this season’s Capitals had the best record in the National Hockey League and thoroughly outplayed the Flyers in the first two games. “They’re going to be emotional”.
Expecting the Flyers to elevate their play trailing 2-0 in the series, the Capitals know they must do the same, particularly at even strength.
The Dallas Stars suddenly look like they might miss Tyler Seguin. And why can’t they stop Washington’s, which had a whopping nine chances? “I was in the room there and got told that was going on. Their power play is very good and it made the difference tonight”.
The Philadelphia Flyers hope to begin the improbable series comeback by getting this victory. Claude Giroux leads in points with 67 and in assists with 45.
“No”, he said. “I just overextended there”.
This 3-0 lead is the first the Caps have ever enjoyed in a best-of-seven series. But we’re a no-excuse team. “And we want to play hard, that’s our identity”.
“Mason is the reason we’re [in the playoffs]”, defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere said. We have to turn some things around. The pregame light show was awesome but the Flyers scoring in the first minute of play was even better.
After the Capitals scored on their first power play courtesy of a deflection, Ovechkin beat Mason with his quick shot. “So, if he gets going, that will be another weapon we can really use right now”. “We have to find a way to put one in”.
For the third consecutive game, Giroux was held without a goal, without an assist and without a significant impact.
But the lead was short-lived.
And in the third, Jay Beagle put the game to bed as his goal secured a two-goal advantage for Washington and the eventual win. The goal came just 15 seconds after Wayne Simmonds was signaled for holding. Ovechkin jumped over the boards and caught a clearing pass from Nick Backstrom on the fly.
Carlson added another power-play goal later in the period.
With 2:19 left on the five-minute power play, right after Schultz blocked his shot attempt, the puck went back to Ovechkin again.
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The white banner hangs on the north side of Wells Fargo Center, clearly visible from a majority of the parking spaces in the immediate vicinity of the Philadelphia Flyers’ home arena. The penalty killers were put through a pretty good workout and all the credit in the world to the guys blocking shots out there.
