Caps defeat Flyers, 5-3 | Pro Hockey News

PHILADELPHIA – By the time the Flyers got their offense in gear in the third period, the game was pretty much out of hand as the Washington Capitals win, 5-3, on Thursday night.

T.J. Oshie #77 of the Washington Capitals dives through the air in pursuit of the puck carried by Justin Braun #61 of the Philadelphia Flyers

Nic Dowd scored his second of the game in an empty-net to seal the win for the Caps after the Flyers had closed to 4-3.

“It’s tough coming back in this league,” the Flyers Scott Laughton said. “When you’re down 4-1 or whatever it was, it’s tough to come back, especially in the third. … The good thing is we got these guys coming up in two days. We get some rest here. They’ve come into our home building in the last week or so and taken four points from us. We got to be prepared and make it harder on them.”

Travis Konecny, Ivan Provorov and Laughton were the Flyers goal scorers.

“There’s plays with the puck that you need to make in all three of those zones,” Philadelphia head coach Alain Vigneault said. “And, unfortunately, in their end we made some costly mistakes that led to rush opportunities that they were able to put in the back of our net. We had a push in the third, but it was obviously too late.”

Alex Ovechkin scored his 715th NHL goal to open the scoring in the game for the Caps.

“The other night, the wheels were coming off quickly, and by the end you’re hanging on by a lug nut, and tonight was totally different,” Washington head coach Peter Laviolette said. “They were able to capitalize on a couple of chances. … But from an even-strength defensive standpoint, I’m going to say we didn’t give up six or seven chances the entire night that were quality chances. So I was really happy with the game.”

Conor Sheary and John Carlson added single markers for Washington.

“It’s important for a season like this to string some good games together and get some really good points down the stretch,” Carlson said. “Those are always nice. It can really make up for a little dry spell here or there, but certainly this year with the shortened season, it’s great.”

Brian Elliott made 17 saves in the loss.

Brian Elliott #37 of the Philadelphia Flyers makes a blocker save

John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals checks Ivan Provorov #9 of the Philadelphia Flyers

Andy Andreoff #10 of the Philadelphia Flyers and a Garnet Hathaway #21 of the Washington Capitals battle it out at center ice.

Brian Elliott #37 of the Philadelphia Flyers stops the puck against Nicklas Backstrom #19 of the Washington Capitals

Andy Andreoff #10 of the Philadelphia Flyers and Garnet Hathaway #21 of the Washington Capitals square off during the first period

Conor Sheary #73 of the Washington Capitals scores against Brian Elliott #37 of the Philadelphia Flyers in the first period.

A shot by Travis Konecny #11 of the Philadelphia Flyers scores against Ilya Samsonov #30 of the Washington Capitals in the first period.

James van Riemsdyk #25 of the Philadelphia Flyers battles Zdeno Chara #33 for position in front of Goalie Ilya Samsonov #30 of the Washington Capitals