PHILADELPHIA – The Washington Capitals showed the Flyers they have long way to go to compete for a playoff position.
On Thursday night, the Caps defeated the Flyers handily, 5-2.
Brett Connolly led the offense for Washington with two strikes.
Goalie Braden Holtby (#70) of the Washington Capitals and Left Wing Oskar Lindblom (#23) of the Philadelphia Flyers
“Definitely this is the most fun I’ve had playing hockey,” Connolly said. “Obviously, last year winning (the Stanley Cup) … holding that trophy over your head, that’s something that sticks with you, gives you a little bit of confidence, little bit of swagger. It’s a great group here that let me be myself, let me find that role on whatever line I’m playing on and create offense. It’s been a great fit.”
The Caps improved to 42-22-7 with the win.
“They play a great team game,” Flyers captain Claude Giroux said. “They have four lines that can make a lot of plays. I thought we played well. We had our chances. It’s definitely frustrating.”
Braden Holtby made 22 saves to pick up the win.
James van Riemsdyk and Scott Laughton were the Flyers’ goal scorers.
Lars Eller, Tom Wilson and Evgeny Kuznetsov also scored for Washington which is two points clear for first place in the Metro Division.
“We were just emotionally engaged right from the first shift,” Eller said. “Just caught them early and we executed, did the right things, and got rewarded.”
The Flyers dropped to 34-28-8 and are five points back of the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
“We had some good shots,” Giroux said. “There were some rebounds around. We made plays that we wanted to make but didn’t work out. Power play has to be able to get us momentum or get us a goal.”
[WATCH: All Capitals vs. Flyers highlights]
Carter Hart made 27 saves in the loss.
“At the end of the day, I just have to make a couple more saves,” Hart said. “We came out really hard in the second half of the game, I thought, and really put some pressure on them. … I have to make a couple more saves to give our team a better chance.”
Goalie Braden Holtby (#70), Defenseman Matt Niskanen (#2) of the Washington Capitals, and Left Wing James van Riemsdyk (#25) of the Philadelphia Flyers
Goalie Braden Holtby (#70) of the Washington Capitals and Left Wing James van Riemsdyk (#25) of the Philadelphia Flyers
Goalie Braden Holtby (#70) of the Washington Capitals and Left Wing James van Riemsdyk (#25) of the Philadelphia Flyers
Center Scott Laughton (#21) of the Philadelphia Flyers
Defenseman Nick Jensen (#3) of the Washington Capitals controls the puck against Left Wing Oskar Lindblom (#23) of the Philadelphia Flyers
Left Wing Alex Ovechkin (#8) of the Washington Capitals
Right Wing Brett Connolly (#10) of the Washington Capitals scores his second goal of the night against Goalie Carter Hart (#79) of the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers Goalie Carter Hart (#79) looks toward the corner as Philadelphia Flyers Defenseman Radko Gudas (#3) battles with Left Wing Alex Ovechkin (#8) of the Washington Capitals
Center Claude Giroux (#28) of the Philadelphia Flyers skates towards the net defended by Goalie Braden Holtby (#70) of the Washington Capitals
Left Wing Carl Hagelin (#62) of the Washington Capitals
Right Wing T.J. Oshie (#77) of the Washington Capitals
Right Wing Brett Connolly (#10) of the Washington Capitals is surrounded by his teammate in celebrations of his goal in the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Left Wing Carl Hagelin (#62) of the Washington Capitals raises his stick in celebration of the goal by teammate Right Wing Brett Connolly (#10)
Left Wing Carl Hagelin (#62) of the Washington Capitals and Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (#53) of the Philadelphia Flyers
Goalie Carter Hart (#79) of the Philadelphia Flyers3
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