Capitals Clinch Postseason Berth in 3-2 Win Over Flyers

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The Washington Capitals became the first team in the NHL to reach 100 points in the standings following a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers at Capital One Arena on Thursday. Due to the New York Islanders game requiring an overtime finish, Washington also secured the NHL’s first postseason spot this season. The 2024-25 Capitals became the 18th team in NHL history to clinch a playoff appearance in fewer than 70 games. Washington clinched their playoff appearance in their regular-season finale last season. 

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Alex Ovechkin electrified the home crowd with the opening score of the contest 14 minutes into the opening period. Trevor van Riemsdyk’s point shot was knocked down in the slot in front of the net by Aliaksei Protas, who passed it over to an open Ovechkin for the 35th goal of his season and a 1-0 Washington lead. The 39-year-old winger is now up to career goal No. 888 with 13 games remaining in the Capitals regular season. Washington’s captain is six goals shy of tying Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goal record of 894 goals. Ovechkin became the third player in NHL history with 240 goals in the first period. He tied Phil Esposito (240) and only trails Gretzky (241). 

Brandon Duhaime’s deflection doubled the Capitals’ lead to 2-0 at 1:56 of the second period. Philly turned the puck over inside their own blue line, leading to Washington’s offensive opportunity. Anthony Beveaulier, the Capitals’ lone trade deadline acquisition, set up Matt Roy for a shot in a high-dangerous area that Duhaime tipped past Flyers goalie Sam Ersson. 

Another Flyers miscue led to Washington’s third goal of the night and Philadelphia’s 3-0 deficit. Bobby Brink’s pass to a trailing defenseman was off the mark and sent Beveaulier and Andrew Mangiapane on a 2-on-1 opportunity against Ersson. Mangiapane’s snapshot triggered Washington’s third goal horn of the night inside Capital One Arena. The Capitals took the 3-0 lead into the second intermission break. 

Philadelphia responded with the first goal of the third period to trim Washington’s advantage to 3-1. Ryan Poehling drove the puck toward the blue-paint before flipping it past the pad of Charlie Lindgren for Philly’s opening score. John Carlson responded immediately to restore the advantage for the Capitals. However, the goal was overturned by a coach’s challenge from Philadelphia, erasing the tally from the oversized scoreboard. 

With under three minutes to play, Sean Couturier whacked a loose puck across the goal line that was initially ruled as a goaltender’s interference play and in no goal for Philly. Another Flyers coach’s challenge went in Philly’s favor as the officials determined Couturier’s contact with the goalie (and the puck) was legal, resulting in a 3-2 game on the 13th goal of the season for the Flyers captain. Despite peppering Lindgren with 16 shots in the third period, Philadelphia could not find the equalizer. Washington skated off home ice with their 46th win of the season following the victory. 

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