The Washington Capitals beat the Philadelphia Flyers 5-0 Sunday afternoon at Verizon Center. The win raised the Capitals record to 29-9-5, extended the Capitals winning streak to nine consecutive games and gave the Capitals the most points in the NHL. The Capitals next travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins Monday night. Puck-drop is 7:00 PM. 

Philipp Grubauer got the start in goal for the Capitals. Steve Mason got the start for the Flyers. Taylor Chorney and Chandler Stephenson were the healthy scratches for the game. Stephenson was called up from Hershey on Saturday, likely for insurance purposes, as the Caps depart on a three-game road trip following today’s game. The starting lines for today’s game:

#Caps lines vs PHI: 8-19-77, 90-92-14, 10-20-65, 26-83-43. Defense: 27-74, 9-2, 44-88. Scratched: 4, 18. Grubauer vs Mason. #CapsFlyers

— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) January 15, 2017

QUICK NOTES:

• The Capitals penalty kill was strong in the first period, stopping two Flyers power plays. That, coupled with strong play by Philipp Grubauer kept the game scoreless after one. The PK would successfully stop two more Flyers power plays in the second period.
• The Capitals would manage just 10 shots on goal thru the first two periods.
• Jay Beagle (59.4% for season) was 0-5 on faceoffs in first period. Caps were 3-11 as a team (21%).
• John Carlson did not take a shift after the first period. He left the game with a “lower body” injury.
• The Capitals offense woke up in the third period and exploded for 4 goals.
• Justin Williams and Matt Niskanen both scored two goals in the contest.
• Flyers goalie Steve Mason was chased after the 4th goal, replaced by ex-Capital Michal Neuvirth.
• The Capitals have outscored teams 11-0 in the last two games, 26-3 in the last six games.
• This was the Capitals 1,500th victory in franchise history.
• This was the Capitals 340 consecutive sell-out at Verizon Center.
• Post-game news, stats and interviews are right here.

FIRST PERIOD
The Capitals got off to a rather sluggish start in this one. The Flyers pressured the Capitals defense for most of the period, out-shooting the Caps 13-5 for the opening frame. Philipp Grubauer was strong in the first period, keeping the Capitals in the game. The Capitals penalty kill was also strong, stopping two Flyers power plays. The first period ended scoreless. Jay Beagle (59.4% for season) was 0-5 on faceoffs in first period. Caps were 3-11 as a team (21%).

SECOND PERIOD
Andre Burakovsky would be the first to light the lamp on a power play goal at 9:08 of the middle frame. Burakovsky broke-up an attempted zone clear by the Flyers and followed with a dart for the tally.

Nice rip, @andreburakovsky#CapsFlyers on @csnmapic.twitter.com/dAyyCw0drD

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 15, 2017

The period would end with the Caps leading 1-0. The Capitals penalty kill had to extinguish two more Flyers power plays to keep the lead for the Capitals. The Capitals outshot the Flyers 5-4 for the second period, with the Flyers holding a 17-10 lead through two periods of play.

THIRD PERIOD
Justin Williams would stretch the Capitals lead to 2-0 just 1:36 into the final frame. The goal was setup by a nice feed from below the goal by Marcus Johansson.

Jojo 😳 #CapsFlyers on @csnma pic.twitter.com/YPhuYDNEGA

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 15, 2017

Matt Niskanen would add to the Capitals lead on the end of a beautiful give-and-go between Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin, who left a centering pass for Niskanen on the door step.

10/10 passing sequence here #CapsFlyers on @csnma pic.twitter.com/Hzq3ETIVtM

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 15, 2017

Matt Niskanen would add another goal at 5:47 of the final frame on a ‘knuckler’ from the point to give the Caps a 4-0 lead. The goal would chase the Flyers starting goalie, Steve Mason, who was replaced by ex-Capital Michal Neuvirth.

Nisky 🚀 too 🔥 to handle #CapsFlyers on @csnma pic.twitter.com/IQBMNelgxc

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 15, 2017

Justin Williams would make it 5-0 at the 6:36 mark of the third period. The goal was setup by a beautiful between-the-legs pass by Nicklas Backstrom.

FIF! #CapsFlyers on @csnmapic.twitter.com/gMBfjZOChc

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 15, 2017

That would be enough for the Capitals, as they held on for the 5-0 shutout victory.

By Jon Sorensen
Follow @NoVa_Caps

SCENES FROM VERIZON CENTER

Nine straight W’s! #CapsFlyers #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/dfGpRHLfNp

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 15, 2017

Lots of good signs today for warmups in Washington. #Caps looking to make it nine straight W’s. #CapsFlyers #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/IRRvqaaTod

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 15, 2017

#CapsFlyers #GoCaps pic.twitter.com/PU3BW51kd5

— Gerri (@GerriMadalene) January 15, 2017

#CapsFlyers pic.twitter.com/Y77hSSr1DM

— Greg Contaoi (@MrRoberts22) January 15, 2017

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