In a must-win game on the road, the Flyers were playing like a team that believed they had a chance. Despite what the standings showed, this was a team showing character against an opponent that was more than prepared to put the dagger in the Flyers.
But in the middle of the second period, the Flyers penalty trouble caught up to them and they were dealt a familiar hand that this time may have put all hope to rest. Steve Mason left the ice in pain during a TV timeout. On the surface, the outlook did not look good.
The Flyers held a 1-0 lead at the time, but remained resilient in a 3-1 win over the Washington Capitals on Sunday afternoon at Verizon Center.
The Flyers controlled a defensive first period. The Capitals were held without a shot for nearly 12 minutes, through two power plays no less, as the Flyers managed the first five shots of the game. The two teams were scoreless through the first.
Just 50 seconds into the second, the Flyers broke the ice. Mark Streit's shot from the point deflected off a Capitals defenseman and past Braden Holtby for the game's first goal. It was Streit's eighth of the season.
The Flyers continued their solid defensive play through the early stages of the second, killing another penalty in the process. The Flyers were about to be short-handed for a fourth time when, during a TV timeout, Mason came to the bench. As he prepared to head back to the net, he suffered a lower-body injury and had to be helped off the ice. Ray Emery came on in relief.
Mason stopped all eight shots he faced.
The Flyers nearly survived the ensuing penalty kill. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare took a high-sticking penalty with 1:20 remaining on the initial penalty to Matt Read. The Flyers would kill that off, but on the 5-on-4 – Washington's fifth power play of the game – Alex Ovechkin was presented a chance alone in front and wristed a shot by Emery to tie the game. His 33rd goal of the season tied for the league lead.
But the Flyers remained a resilient bunch, holding on for the remainder of the second and grabbing the lead again early in the third. Sean Couturier sent Wayne Simmonds on a rush into the Washington zone. Simmonds unleashed a strong wrist shot past Holtby to give the Flyers the lead at 3:50. It was Simmonds' team-leading 19th goal.
The Flyers continued to put up a solid defensive front as the Capitals searched for the equalizer. Another power play chance came and went for Washington and in the closing moments of the third, the Flyers finally got a power play chance.
With an empty net for Washington, Jake Voracek scored to put the game away in the final minute and seal a huge victory.
Emery stopped five of the six shots he faced. The Flyers penalty kill went 5-for-6 on the afternoon.
The Flyers road trip continues north of the border in Montreal on Tuesday night against the Canadiens. The opening face-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
