Photo: Len Redkoles/Getty Images

Despite allowing three unanswered goals, the Washington Capitals downed the Philadelphia Flyers, who entered the game 17-4-2 in their past 23 games, by a score of 5-3 at Wells Fargo Center for their fifth consecutive win on Wednesday night. The win put the Capitals two points ahead of the New York Islanders for the Metropolitan Division lead, though the Islanders now own a game in hand on the Capitals. Goaltender Braden Holtby made 27 saves in the win, his 250th of his career. He only needed 409 games to do it becoming the second-fastest goaltender to do so in NHL history behind only Ken Dryden (381).

Capitals Lines at Flyers

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The Capitals made no lineup changes from their 3-2 shootout win over the New York Rangers on Sunday.

Forward Jakub Voracek (lower-body injury) and center Nolan Patrick (upper-body injury) missed the game for the Flyers.

First Period

Forward Tom Wilson redirected captain Alex Ovechkin’s pass to the slot from the right circle while falling down 5:55 into the game to give the Capitals a 1-0 lead.

Ovi from his knees sets up Wilson to get the #Caps on the board! 1-0 #CapsFlyers pic.twitter.com/dEEFkc8Hhb

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 7, 2019

Forward Brett Connolly let it go while flying down the wing and beat goaltender Brian Elliott high-glove side for his 17th of the season after getting a feed from forward Carl Hagelin in the defensive zone to give the Capitals a 2-0 lead 14:06 into the period. After it appeared that he hit the crossbar, the officials reviewed the play at the next whistle and determined that the puck completely crossed the goal-line.

Conno snipes the camera for his 17th of the season to put the #Caps up 2-0! #CapsFlyers pic.twitter.com/kenjzFiIB1

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 7, 2019

The Capitals led 14-7 in shots and had only one giveaway while the Flyers had four in the first.

The Flyers led 9-4 in hits and 8-4 in blocked shots after one. They won 83% of the draws in the period and went 0-for-1 on the man-advantage in the opening 20 minutes.

Each team was credited with three takeaways in the opening frame.

Second Period

Ovechkin ripped his league-leading 46th of the season through the legs of Elliott from his office after getting a cross-ice feed from center Nicklas Backstrom on the power-play to make it 3-0 2:32 into the second.

Ovi goes 5-hole on the power play for his 46th of the season! #Caps lead 3-0 #CapsFlyers pic.twitter.com/HO4hsaYopZ

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 7, 2019

Forward Andre Burakovsky ripped one to the blocker-side of Elliott from the left circle after getting the puck from center Travis Boyd at the other end 46 seconds after Ovechkin scored. Following the goal, goaltender Cam Talbot replaced Elliott, who allowed four goals on 19 shots. It was Burakovsky’s second consecutive game with a goal.

Burkie SNIPE and the caps are up 4-0 #CapsFlyers #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/qgx1owKKx9
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 7, 2019

On the Capitals’ first shot on Talbot, Backstrom beat the Flyers’ netminder top-corner in front after getting it from Vrana behind the net to make it 5-0. The goal was the Capitals’ third in a span of 3:10. Defenseman Nick Jensen recorded an assist on the play marking his first point as a Capital.

Vrana with the feed from behind the net and Backy right out front to pick it up – #Caps lead 5-0 #CapsFlyers #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/9RptVMAppY
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 7, 2019

Defenseman Philipp Myers sniped his first career NHL goal from the slot after getting a drop pass from forward Claude Giroux to make it 5-1 with 11.3 seconds to go in the period.

The Capitals led 25-16 in shots, including 10-9 in the second period, and had only three giveaways while the Flyers had five after two. They went 1-for-2 on the power-play in the first two periods.

The Flyers led 20-9 in hits, 11-8 in blocked shots, and won 74% of the faceoffs through two. They went 0-for-1 on the power-play in the opening 40 minutes.

Each team had four takeaways through two periods of play.

Third Period

Giroux tapped in forward Oskar Lindblom’s feed at the crease to cut the lead to 5-2 10 seconds into the period.

Forward Scott Laughton deflected defenseman Andrew MacDonald’s shot from the point 8:48 in and forced the Capitals to take a timeout after surrendering three straight goals.

The Capitals led 35-30 in shots and 8-5 in takeaways. They went 1-for-3 on the power-play.

The Flyers led 14-10 in third-period shots, 25-17 in hits, 15-10 in blocked shots, and won 70% of the faceoffs. They went 0-for-1 on the power-play.

Each team recorded nine giveaways.

The Capitals return from their three-game Metropolitan Division road trip to host the New Jersey Devils on Friday night. Action from Capital One Arena can be seen on NBC Sports Washington beginning at 7 PM ET.

By Harrison Brown