Washington Capitals Down Flyers 5-2

The Washington Capitals defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2 for their eighth win in nine games. It was a huge bounce back win before an epic game taking place Saturday night.

This win for the Washington Capitals was very important because both the Penguins and Islanders picked up wins, meaning nothing changes in the standings. The Capitals are still in first place in the Metropolitan Division with the victory, their record improving to 42-22-7 for 91 points. We’ve got just 11 more games to go folks! This game was also Washington’s second time in the City of Brotherly Love in the last eight days. The Capitals have been in Philly more times in the last two weeks than Bryce Harper.

Brett Connolly had two goals in the victory as well as an assist for a three-point effort. This was also Connolly’s first multi-goal game of the season. Connolly is having a great third season on the Capitals with a career-high 17 goals, 19 assists, and 36 points.

“He’s had an extremely consistent year. I’m happy for him for all the work he’s put in. He’s had a really positive effect on our team,” said Capitals head coach Todd Reirden.

The third line was certainly the line of the night and they made their presence felt early. Connolly was at the right place at the right time, taking a pass from Michal Kempny after he got it from John Carlson. “Conno”, as his teammates call him, buried it past Flyers goalie Carter Hart.

Then it was the eye of the tiger. That’s right, Lars Eller put the Capitals up 2-0. The tiger was once again lurking right around the net and he banged home a pass from Carl Hagelin to put the visitors up 2-0. The goal was Eller’s 11th on the season. The Capitals led 2-0 after the opening period and outshot the Flyers 11-5.

The Flyers got on the board and made it a one-goal deficit with a goal from James van Riemsdyk for his 21st on the season 63 seconds into the second period. The Capitals answered with two goals. The first one came from Connolly when he finished a 3-on-2 rush down the ice. at 8:43 for his 19th of the year.

Tom Wilson gave the Capitals a 4-1 65 seconds later for his 20th goal of the season. Dmitry Orlov fed the puck to Evgeny Kzuentsov, who found Wilson in front of the net for the one-timer.

4-1 would be the score entering the final period. The Capitals outshot the Flyers in the second period 14-9. Kuznetsov sealed the game in the third period with an empty net goal.

The Flyers outshot the Capitals 10-7 in the third period but the Capitals would go on to defeat the Flyers 5-2. The Capitals outshot the Flyers throughout the whole game 32-24.

Braden Holtby stopped 22-of-24 shots for a .917 save percentage for his 27th win of the season. He improves to 27-17-4. The Capitals road trip continues this weekend with an epic Saturday night clash in Tampa Bay. It’s the first time the Capitals have been there since Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals where they shut out the Bolts 4-0 to go to the Stanley Cup Finals.