The postseason arrived early at Verizon Center. Unfortunately, it was an all too familiar feeling for the Capitals.
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For three periods on Tuesday night, Washington and the Philadelphia Flyers punished each other, just as they did last spring in a first-round Stanley Cup playoff series. There were big hits delivered and plenty of penalties taken — even a roughing call on Caps goalie Jose Theodore.
In the end, however, it was Philadelphia that again took over when it mattered most. The Flyers scored three times in the span of 3 minutes, 19 seconds in the third period to turn a one-goal deficit into a 4-2 victory.
The two teams combined for 17 penalties — everything from hooks to slashes to delay-of-game and interference calls. Not that it was a huge advantage either way. Both teams produced a batch of quality scoring chances while shorthanded, too.
“You know you’re going to get hit in a game like this,” Caps forward Donald Brashear said. “You have to be ready for it as best you can and be ready to hit back. But at the same time you’re going to have to take a hit, too.”
But the Caps, who led 2-0 in the second period and were a dismal 1-for-7 on the power play, fell apart late after failing to convert their own scoring chances — especially three good ones while a man down. Philadelphia forwards Scott Hartnell (9:11), Jeff Carter (10:36) and Arron Asham (12:30) all beat Theodore in a short span to turn the game in the Flyers’ favor. Washington has now allowed eight third-period goals to Philadelphia this season, the most to any opponent.
“We became unglued,” said Caps coach Bruce Boudreau.
Forward Nicklas Backstrom notched his 16th goal of the year in the first period to put the Caps ahead. He also extended his point streak to seven games and has 17 points over the last 12 games. Alex Ovechkin, who assisted on that first goal, then scored his NHL-best 44th to extend the lead. Claude Giroux added a second-period goal for Philadelphia to keep the Flyers in the game.
“The theme of the whole night was not cashing in on chances,” said Boudreau, whose team took 35 shots on Philadelphia goalie Antero Nittymaki. “If you don’t score when you have the opportunities, eventually those chances dry up.”
The Caps’ took nine penalties total – forward Alex Semin had a pair, including a delay of game. And while the Flyers were just 1-for-8 on their own power play, the time in the penalty box at the very least disrupted Washington’s offense by keeping its stars on the bench. Boudreau wasn’t subtle in his postgame press conference, threatening diminished ice time for repeat offenders.
“I don’t think we’re [ever intimidated by Philadelphia]. We know they are a physical team and we like playing in those games,” said Caps forward Brooks Laich. “Our guys are physical, too. I think we have the best hitter in the league with [Ovechkin]. Personally, I think those are the most fun hockey games to play.”
