Capitals Roll Past Flyers, Take 3-0 Series Lead

It started with a bang, a quick strike just 57 seconds in. But as the game played out, it all unraveled. 

The Flyers continued to be no match for the Washington Capitals, as they dropped Game 3, 6-1, to fall to a 3-0 deficit in the series on Monday night at Wells Fargo Center. 

The Flyers jumped out to an early lead just 57 seconds in. Brandon Manning threw a shot toward the net that Braden Holtby stopped. But a rebound was left for Michael Raffl, who corralled it and buried it to give the Flyers the first goal.

A power-play attempt for the Capitals minutes later allowed them to quickly answer. Just 15 seconds into the man-advantage, John Carlson fired a shot that was tipped past Steve Mason by Marcus Johansson, tying the game at one.

The Flyers killed off a second Washington power play in the first, but failed to score on their only power-play chance of the period. With seven seconds left in the period, Mike Richards was called for goaltender interference, putting the Flyers on the power play to start the second.

Shots in the first were 11-7 Flyers.

The Flyers failed to score on the power play and would go on to surrender the go-ahead goal just short of nine minutes into the second period.

Alex Ovechkin was waiting for the puck at the blue line, moved in on Mason and fired an innocent-looking shot that caught Mason off guard. Ovechkin's second put the Capitals in front. It was a lead they would not surrender.

The Flyers power play struggles continued as the Capital converted on two more man-advantage chances. Early in the third, Evgeny Kuznetsov was the beneficiary of a strange bounce and beat an unsuspecting Mason. Six minutes later, Carlson added his third power-play goal of the series with another point shot through a screened Mason.

Ovechkin also added another power-play goal for Washington after Pierre-Edouard Bellemare was given a five-minute major and game misconduct for a hit from behind on Dmitry Orlov. Jay Beagle also scored on the extended power-play to give Washington the five-goal edge.

The Flyers outshot the Capitals, 31-27, but it hardly mattered with Holtby in net. He turned in another stellar effort to lead the Capitals to the win and put them on the cusp of the series sweep in Game 4.

The Flyers are back on home ice for Game 4 against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.

Box Score

Scoring Summary

Penalty Summary

Game Statistics

Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.