Washington Capitals defeat Flyers in overtime but don’t win East Division
The Washington Capitals streak of division title has ended at five but at least they got revenge on the Philadelphia Flyers, stunning them on a late goal and winning it in overtime.
The first period was scoreless but not without fireworks. Tom Wilson was in a accidental on leg collision with Nicholas Aube-Kubel of the Flyers. Wilson fell on the ice to the delight of haters but to the dismay of them was right back in the game in the second period. The Caps outshot the Flyers 13-8.
More from Capitals News
- Breaking down the Rookie Camp roster
- Hear what Magic Johnson said about Alex Ovechkin
- Capitals announce Rookie Camp schedule
- Breaking down the 2023-24 Capitals national TV schedule
- Capitals Alumni Weekend is coming back
In the second it was T.J. Oshie who got hurt and his was more unfortunate as it knocked him out of the game. Can we please get a break with the injuries, hockey gods? Aube-Kubel collided with Oshie and as a result was slow to get up. No goals were scored in the second either as the Flyers led in shots 12-6.
Scott Laughton gave the Flyers the lead with a goal at 3:42. Trailing 1-0, the Caps needed two goals in regulation to stay alive in the race for first in the MassMutual East Divison. Overtime or a loss would award it to the Pittsburgh Penguins, who beat the Buffalo Sabres earlier in the day.
The equalizer came in the McNugget minute from the birthday boy Lars Eller. Justin Schultz found Anthony Mantha and he fed a great pass to Eller in the right face off circle. The Tiger ripped it through with 40 seconds left.
In the overtime Dmitry Orlov fed Nic Dowd. Dowd fed a beautiful pass to Conor Sheary. Sheary shot it and the puck trickled off Flyers goaltender Alex Lyon. Caps win 2-1 and are assured second place in the MassMutual East.
The Caps outshot the Flyers 18-7 in the third, 3-2 in overtime and 40-29 overall. Craig Anderson made 28 saves for a .966 save percentage. Also making his Caps debut was Garrett Pilon, a 2016 third rounder. It was a long time coming for this kid, who’s the son of NHL legend Rich Pilon.
There were no updates for the guys injured but this win was impressive considering all the guys that were out, banged up, or got hurt in this game. Everyone has a lower body injury, heck I might even have one.
light. More. Washington Capitals fall to Flyers
The Caps will at least have home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Tuesday night the Caps will wrap up the regular season against the Boston Bruins, which could be their first round opponent.