Game #21 Recap: Caps 4 Flyers 5 (OT-SO)

The Capitals made a valiant effort in the third period to erase a two goal deficit and tie the game but fall in the shootout. The Caps took the lead in the first period with rookie Marcus Johansson's second goal of the season. Jason Chimera set up Johansson with a deft pass through his legs. The rookie is starting to figure out how to play in the NHL and I am looking for more good things from him. The team went in to intermission with a 1-0 lead after 1 period. Once again, the second period was not a good one for the Caps. Philly scored on the power play and again just as another expired. In the third the Caps scored twice on the power play to tie the game only to have the Flyers regain the lead with 6-minutes remaining in regulation. In the final minutes with the Caps on the power play and the goalie pulled got the equalizer with 39-seconds left in regulation. Eric Fehr ripped a slap shot into the Flyers net from the right wing circle. In overtime the teams traded chances until Nicklas Backstrom was called for interference. Washington was able kill off the penalty and force the shootout. Backstrom, Ovechkin, and Semin were unable to put the puck in the net and Philly got one for the shootout winner.

Of Note:

• Jason Chimera had an excellent game. Not only setting Johansson's goal but also scored the second power play goal in the third. 
• Nicklas Backstrom scored the first power play goal in the third period. Alex Ovechkin and Brooks Laich assisted on the play. For Ovechkin it was career point number 555 tying him with Bengt Gustafsson for 5th place on the Capitals All-Time Points Scoring list.
• Michael Nuevirth stopped 31 of 35 shots and 1 of 2 in the shootout for the overtime loss.
• The Caps went 3 for 7 on the power play but were on the penalty kill for a long time. They killed 8 of 9 chances including 1:00 of 5-on-3 and 1:48 of 4-on-3.
• Eric Fehr and Tomas Fleischmann were much more engaged in this game combining for 1 goal, 1 assist, and 11 shots on goal.
• Other players that picked up points included Brooks Laich with 2 assists along with Matt Bradley, Matt Hendricks, and Alexander Semin who each had 1.

Official Recap
Game Summary
Event Summary
Shootout Summary