Theodore, Ovechkin Lead Caps over Flyers

Alexander Ovechkin added his 48th goal of the season, the game winner, while G Jose Theodore stopped 35 of 36 shots to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers in a hostile Wachovia Center, 2-1.  It was Washington’s second straight win after a mini-slump in which they dropped 4 straight.  Where are all the doomsayers now? 

Brooks Laich deflected in a hard wrister from Alex Ovechkin on the power play to put the Caps up 1-0 in the first period.  That was all the scoring in the fist period, Caps and Flyers both put 8 goals on the net.  Theodore made an incredible save in the first period that looked as if Philly was going to tie it up.  Mike Richards made a cross the ice pas to Kimmo Timonen who fired at an open net, but Theo made a body stretching dive to glove the puck and deny Timonen the goal. 

Mike Knuble tied it up at the taking a 2 on 1 pass from Mike Richards in the second period.  Not sure where the heck the Caps defense was on that play.  Six minutes later, Ovie would strike taking a behind the net pass from Alexander Semin and slapping the puck past Flyer’s goalie Marty Biron.  You have to absolutely love every time Great 8 scores in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh.  It is just such a deflating thing and so deserving to those home team crowds.  The second period ended with the Caps leading 2-1.  Flyers out shot the Caps 19-12 in the second period.  That is precisely where the score stayed. 

It was Washington’s second win a row on the road.  Even better,
Carolina and Florida both lost, as Washington gains a bigger lead in
the Southeast, although I think concerns of not being back to back
Division Champs are quickly fading. 

Special teams:

Caps
only had 2 power play opportunities and Laich scored his goal on one of
them.  Caps were 1 for 2.  Penalty killers did their job, effectively,
killing all 4 Flyers power play opportunities. 

Status:

Caps
gain 2 points on Carolina and now lead the Southeast Division by 12
points.  Caps trail New Jersey, who won last night, by 1 point for
second overall in the Eastern Conference and 7 points behind Boston
Bruins for first place.

Multi-Point Scorers:

Alexander Ovechkin, 1 goal, 1 assist

DCPSR Player of the Game:

Alexander Ovechkin, 1 goal, 1 assist, GW Goal, and 8 SOG AND Jose Theodore, stopped 35 of 36 shots for the win.

Next Up:

Saturday, 3/14 at the Verizon Center against the Carolina Hurricanes. 
 
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