The Capitals and Flyers engaged in an epic battle for Game 5. By the end of the game, it became the Michal Neuvirth show. The Capitals outshot the Flyers 44-11, but it was the Flyers who prevailed with a 2-0 victory.
Neuvirth has been spectacular for the Flyers in the two games that he has played. He has stopped 75 of 76 shots, and has given the Flyers a much needed spark.
The Capitals still lead the series 3-2, but now they will have to travel back to Philadelphia to try and close the series out.
BROOKS ORPIK INJURY UPDATE
It looks like Brooks Orpik will travel to Philadelphia for Game 6, but Barry Trotz did not say if he will be back in the lineup or not. Orpik appears to be working out on the side, but has not worked out with the team.
Trotz says Brooks Orpik will to Philadelphia. Said he hasn’t skated, but he worked out today.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 23, 2016
TAYLOR CHORNEY
Chorney slotted into the lineup in Game 4 after Brooks Orpik got injured in Game 3. Chorney has struggled a bit, and he is probably hoping he does not score against the Capitals anymore in this series.
Chorney scores an own goal… Capitals’ annual playoff collapse in the works? 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/2Yzcrz1FYI
— Ajit (@412Ajax) April 23, 2016
UNNECESSARY PENALTIES
The Capitals took 6 penalties against the Flyers in Game 5. Barry Trotz was not happy with his club after this game, and he said that the Capitals probably deserved all 6 of the penalties.
If the Capitals are going to rebound in Game 6, they need to limit the penalties that they take. If the game can stay at 5-on-5, they should be able to dominate the Flyers territorially like they did in Game 5.
WHERE IS THE CAPITALS SECOND LINE?
The trio of Burakovsky-Kuznetsov-Williams had a bad outing in Game 5. The Capitals second line only produced 5 shots on goal in Game 5, and Justin Williams was penalized for numerous infractions.
This line was very dependable for the Capitals during the regular season. Kuznetsov was one of the NHL’s leading point producers with 77 points. Burakovsky set career highs in goals (17) and points (38), and Williams also had one of his best seasons as a pro with goals (22) and points (52).
If the Capitals are going to clinch the series win against the Flyers, this line needs to break out from their slump. Secondary scoring is needed for the Capitals, and their fantastic second line was a big reason for a lot of their success during the regular season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Capitals – Alex Ovechkin: The Great 8 was running people over in Game 5. He recorded 8 shots on goal, and 8 hits. Ovechkin scored 2 goals against the Flyers in Game 3 of this series, and he has tormented the Flyers over the years in Philadelphia. He will need to come up big in Game 6 if the Capitals plan to advance to the 2nd round of the NHL Playoffs.
Flyers – Michal Neuvirth: The former Capitals netminder has been close to lights out in the 2 games he has played in. The Flyers are the fourth different NHL club that Neuvirth has played for. He was selected by the Washington Capitals in the 2nd round of the 2006 NHL Draft.
GAME INFORMATION
Sunday, April 24, 2016 – 12:00 PM ET – NBC, CBC, TVAS
By: George Foussekis
