Photo: Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images
The Washington Capitals rallied to beat the Philadelphia Flyers, 2-1 (OT), Saturday night at Capital One Arena. The victory improves the Capitals record to 35-15-5 (75 points) on the season.
After a scoreless first and second period, the Flyers would finally open the scoring with a goal early in the final frame. Lars Eller would tie the game with 40 seconds remaining in regulation, to send the game into overtime. Conor Sheary would win it in overtime for the Caps.
Because the Capitals could not win in regulation, the Pittsburgh Penguins clinched first place in the East Division. This is the first time since 2015 in which the Capitals did not take first place in their division.
GAME STATS
STARTERS
Craig Anderson (1-1-1-0, 2.79 GAA, .881 SV%) got the start between the pipes for the Capitals. Alex Lyon (4-1-3-0, 3.69 GAA, .876 SV%) got the start in goal for the visiting Flyers. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Capitals.
Scratches: Alex Ovechkin (lower body injury), John Carlson (lower body injury), Nicklas Backstrom (lower body injury).
#Caps John Carlson (lower body), Alex Ovechkin (lower body) and Nicklas Backstrom (lower body) will not play tonight and are listed as day-to-day.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) May 8, 2021
FIRST PERIOD
The Capitals and Flyers skated to a scoreless draw in the first period. The Capitals led in shots on goal 13-8. The Capitals were 0 for 2 on the power play wile the Flyers did not have a man advantage.
The Capitals led in shot attempts 20-10, scoring chances 9-3, and expected goals .76 to .35.
SECOND PERIOD
The second period would also go scoreless. The Flyers led in shots on goal, 12-6 in the second period, and led, 20-19 after two periods.
The Flyers led in shot attempts 23-7. Flyers led in scoring chances, 9-4. The Capitals led in expected goals 1.17 to .81.
THIRD PERIOD
The Flyers would finally break the seal with a goal from Scott Laughton at 3:43 of the final frame.
Big Laughts. #AnytimeAnywhere | #PHIvsWSH pic.twitter.com/04RxCjark8
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) May 9, 2021
The Capitals would tie the game with a goal from Lars Eller at 19:40 of the third period.
The one where Lars tied it late on his birthday! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/brWUgCC3HP
— x – Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 9, 2021
Regulation would end, tied 1-1.
OVERTIME
Conor Sheary would win it for the Capitals in overtime.
wait for it…waaaaait for it 🤪 pic.twitter.com/KJOE4SwWKe
— x – Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 9, 2021
SHAVINGS
- Lars Eller ties the game 1-1 with his eighth goal of the season. With 23 points on the year (8g, 15a) in 43 games, Eller is scoring at a 43 point pace over an 82-game season, which would be a career high.
- Because the Capitals could not win it in regulation, the Pittsburgh Penguins clinched first place in the East Division. The Capitals secure second place.
- Conor Sheary wins it for the Capitals in overtime, his fourth career overtime winning goal and first as a Capital.
- Garrett Pilon made his NHL debut.
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