The Capitals now sit four points behind the Flyers for third in the Metro.
WASHINGTON — To kick off the most important game of the year against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Washington Capitals looked out of it. Then, in the second period, Alex Ovechkin would bring his team to life.
Ovechkin scored his 17th of the year, and a big second period and complete 180 in performance from start to finish resulted in a critical 5-2 win that carries heavy weight in the team's trade deadline plans and postseason push.
Here are all the takeaways from the victory, which moves D.C. four points back of the Flyers for third in the Metropolitan Division and, in turn, a playoff spot.
Capitals Find Spark After Lackluster Start Thanks To Ovechkin, Lapierre
The Capitals looked flat out of the gate, as the Flyers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after miscues led to a 2-on-0 break, where Charlie Lindgren made a highlight-reel save but couldn't stop the rebound. Philadelphia would later score on a power play to make it 2-0 going into the second period.
In that middle frame, Washington came to life, and they have Ovechkin to thank for helping ignite the spark. The captain picked up a nice feed from Tom Wilson off a clean face-off win from Hendrix Lapierre and fired a nice shot past Samuel Ersson to continue his hot streak and put his team back in the game.
Ovechkin now has points in 12 of his last 13 outings and eight goals since returning from the All-Star Break. He is up to 839 career goals and needs just 56 more to break Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record.
After Ovechkin's goal, the Capitals got back in the game, and Sonny Milano would tie things up soon after with a nice goal off sustained pressure in front. Milano now has three goals and points in four of his last five games since returning from an upper-body injury that held him out for over two months.
Later in the frame, John Carlson would give his team a 3-2 lead after getting deep in the zone and burying a wraparound. He now has points in four straight outings and goals in two of his last three.
Hendrix Lapierre, who got promoted to the top line, also played a critical role, picking up two big assists. He now three goals and two assists in three games since being called up amid mounting injuries.
Capitals Power Play Stays Hot, Strome Helps Provide Insurance
In the third period, the Capitals had a one-goal lead to protect but needed some insurance. The power play would provide that, as Kirk Muller's unit would remain hot with another goal.
Dylan Strome found Anthony Mantha wide-open in front for his 19th of the season to give D.C. a two-goal lead. Mantha now has points in four of his last five and remains on pace to hit a new career-high in goals this season.
Washington now has six power-play goals in the last four games and has struck on the man advantage in seven of the last eight outings.
Strome also picked up his 22nd goal of the season later in the frame, cashing in on Max Pacioretty's rebound to make it a 5-2 game.
Charlie Lindgren Clutch, Team Puts Together Solid 5-on-5 Effort
Washington also needed a big game on the other side of the puck, with the Flyers presenting a great threat on the transition and hcarrying a lot in their arsenal. Charlie Lindgren was given the tall task of starting this key showdown, and he delivered.
The 30-year-old came up with some crucial stops, including a big one in the third period prior to Strome's goal. He stopped 24 of 26 en route to the win.
Washington also played well at 5-on-5, cleaning things up defensively and shutting down the Flyers on the transition and overcoming early jitters for a strong showing all around.
Top Shelf Takes
- Former Capitals winger Garnet Hathaway made his return to Capital One Arena, but it wasn't all nice, as he got into a scrap with Tom Wilson in the third period that resulted in matching roughing double minors.
- Pacioretty now has points in four straight games.
- Wilson picked up two assists in the win.