Capitals Return to Winning Ways, Down Flyers 4-1

Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Capitals beat the Flyers, 4-1 Wednesday night at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The win raised the Capitals record to 40-12-7 (87 points). The Capitals next host Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers Friday night at Verizon Center. Puck drop is 7:00PM.

Braden Holtby got the start between the pipes for the Capitals. Former Capital Michal Neuvirth got the start in goal for the Flyers.

Taylor Chorney made his first start since January 26th (9 games).

Nate Schmidt and Travis Boyd, who was called up from Hershey on Tuesday, were the healthy scratches for the game.

The Caps had the best record in the NHL entering the game.

QUICK NOTES

Matt Niskanen would leave the game in the second period with a knee injury, and did not return to the game. He will be re-evaluated again tomorrow.
Evgeny Kuznetsov scored two goals in the game.
Braden Holtby notched his 30th win of the season, stopping 33 of 34 shots.
Lars Eller played in his 500th NHL game tonight.

FIRST PERIOD
The Flyers would strike quick, just 23 seconds into the game on a goal by Jakub Voracek, but the goal was waved off due to goalie interference.

Nicklas Backstrom would start the scoring with a nasty wrsiter from the top of the right circle at 6:33 of the opening frame.

Evgeny Kuznetsov would stretch the Capitals lead to 2-0 on a power play goal at 16:28 of the opening frame.

The period would end with the Capitals leading 2-0. The Flyers outshot the Capitals 14-13 for the first period.

SECOND PERIOD
The Flyers would cut the lead in half with a goal by Brayden Schenn at 6:54 of the middle frame.

THIS COUNTS. #WSHvsPHI pic.twitter.com/UsZBctnVJ7

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 23, 2017

Matt Niskanen was hurt in collision with Gudas on the shift leading up to the Flyers’ goal. He was trying to get up when puck went in. He would leave the bench for a good portion of the second period,and ultimately not return to the game.

Evgeny Kuznetsov would regain the Capitals two-goal lead with a blast at 17:59 of the second period. The shot would be deflected off of the Flyers Radko Gudas’ stick.

The second period would end with the Caps leading 3-1. The Caps outshot the Flyers 10-9 in the middle frame. Shots were tied 23-23 through two periods of play.

THIRD PERIOD
T.J. Oshie would give the Capitals a 4-1 lead at 14:43 of the final frame. The play was setup on a rush by Alexander Ovechkin.