Washington Capitals: Capitals Defeat Philadelphia Flyers

For the first time since the bye-week, the Washington Capitals are back in the win column.

Who else but the Philadelphia Flyers? After two very uncharacteristic back-to-back losses against the Red Wings and Rangers, the Washington Capitals got back on track with a solid 4-1 victory over the Flyers.

The Capitals goals came from Backstrom, Kuznetsov, and Oshie. Kuznetsov potted two goals, putting on a show in the Flyers end of the ice.

What a roller coaster this one was. This game could have easily been flipped upside down. The Flyers (unofficially) opened the scoring only 23 seconds into the game. Thankfully for the Capitals, Voraceck’s goal was overturned due to a clear goal-tender interference by Dale Weise.

Six minutes later, Nick Backstrom officially opened the scoring. Backstrom sniped Flyers’ goaltender, Michal Neuvirth, going through Radko Gudas’ legs AND bar down.

Continuing his tear through the NHL this season, Backstrom is now 4th in the NHL points scoring. Last nights goal was number 183 for Backstrom, which puts him ahead of Dennis Maruk for ninth all-time in Capitals history.

Evengy Kuzentsov began running rampat on the power-play, with a shot that was so perfect it didn’t even look like it went in.

It went out as quick as it went in. If you were lost at home, don’t worry. Dmitry Orlov even tried continuing the power-play before he noticed his teammates celebrating.

But seriously.. check this shot out. I mean…how?

https://twitter.com/BarstoolJordie/status/834580820975353856

It was practically all caps from then on. The Flyers had another goal overturned, this time because it just didn’t go in. Kuzentsov put one in off Radko Gudas (who may or may not have been the Caps best player last night), and Oshie put the icing on the cake late in the 3rd period.

Matt Niskanen injury prevents him from returning to game.

Even in the victory, the Capitals took a big loss in an injury to Matt Niskanen. Gudas’ extended knee made contact with the evading Niskanen who went down with a lower-body injury.

Niskanen headed straight for the locker-room and was absent from the Capitals bench and did not return to action in last nights game.

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Niskanen is crucial to the  Washington Capitals defense. Averaging 22 minutes a game, the Capitals can’t afford to lose one of their top defenseman midway through the season.

Head coach Barry Trotz doesn’t seem too worried about the Niskanen injury. The Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan tweeted that Trotz said Niskanen was held out of the game as a precaution.

Niskanen’s injury will be evaluated later today.

Let’s talk about Radko Gudas.

We’d be remised not to talk about Radko Gudas after last night. It’s been decided amongst all hockey fans that there is no place in the NHL for guys like Radko Gudas.

Gudas’ knee contact with Niskanen was clearly intentional. That wasn’t all for Gudas last night, however.

Gudas is a liability, not an asset. He’s only good at putting other players in danger, not at playing hockey. He made that clear on Wednesday night. Gudas was the main defenseman on two goals last night, where the Capitals made him look silly. The first was Backstrom’s snipe and the second was Kuznetsov’s second goal, which literally went in off of his stick.

Here’s why Radko Gudas is the worst and shouldn’t be an NHL defenseman, enjoy!

Next: The NHL's Bye-Week Woes

Although the injury to Niskanen, the Capitals needed to get back into the win column. They asserted their dominance over the Flyers and showed why they’re the best team in the league. The Capitals return home on Friday as they take on the Oilers at 7:00 PM.