The Washington Capitals have a calm confidence in the game’s most tense moments.
T.J. Oshie and Evgeny Kuznetsov on Wednesday scored in a shoot-out to lift Washington over the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1.
Brendan Leipsic had a goal in the first period and Braden Holtby made 30 saves for the Capitals, who extended their point streak to 13 games (11-0-2) and increased their NHL-best total to 32 points.
Photo: Eric Hartline-USA Today
“The talk on our bench is: ‘Who’s going to get the next goal? Let’s see who’s going to do it,’” Washington coach Todd Reirden said. “No one slams doors. No one breaks sticks. We believe in our system.”
Claude Giroux scored for the Flyers (10-5-3), who had won four straight. Philadelphia have earned at least one point in seven consecutive games (5-0-2).
Carter Hart made 35 saves in regulation and overtime, including several late highlight-reel stops, but the 21-year-old netminder could not stop either Washington attempt in the shoot-out.
After Jakub Voracek missed high with a backhand, Oshie beat Hart through the legs.
Giroux scored over Holtby’s left shoulder to tie it, but Kuznetsov followed with a forehand high into the net and the Capitals celebrated when Sean Couturier could not convert in the third round for the Flyers.
“We’re finding ways to gather points,” Reirden said. “It felt like we deserved the two points.”
Giroux tied the game with 13 minutes, 22 seconds left in the third period on a power play after a nifty pass from Voracek in front of the net.
The Capitals had several chances to take the lead late, but Hart denied one quality chance after another.
“You need some saves and we got some saves,” Flyers coach Alain Vigneault said. “He’s doing a good job for us and helping give us a chance to be in games and win games, and that’s what you want from your goaltender.”
The Flyers goalie twice stopped John Carlson from close range with just less than four minutes left in the third, denying both the initial shot and the rebound try.
Tom Wilson had a great chance for Washington 43 seconds later, but Hart turned aside his backhand follow attempt from in front.
Wilson had another high-quality chance with 35 seconds left in the third, but could not beat Hart.
Couturier had the best chance in the five-minute overtime, but his slap shot from the slot clanked off the right post. Alex Ovechkin provided the best opportunity for Washington, but could not convert on a near-breakaway four minutes into the extra session.
Leipsic opened the scoring 6 minutes, 13 seconds in with his second goal of the season on a rebound after Hart saved Carlson’s initial shot from the point. Carlson upped his point total to 30 with his 22nd assist.
In other results it was:
‧ Islanders 5, Maple Leafs 4
‧ Senators 4, Devils 2
‧ Stars 3, Flames 1
‧ Blackhawks 5, Golden Knights 3
SSC Napoli will have to wait one more week to seal the Serie A title after on Sunday being held to a goalless draw at Parma, while closest rivals Inter drew 2-2 in a dramatic game with SS Lazio. Antonio Conte’s team stayed one point ahead of Inter and were unfortunate not to win after twice striking the woodwork through Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Matteo Politano, while Scott McTominay also had a free-kick tipped onto the crossbar. The away side thought they would be handed a chance to take the points from the penalty spot in the 96th minute when David Neres
A stunning Lamine Yamal strike on Thursday helped crown Barcelona La Liga champions with a 2-0 win over local rivals RCD Espanyol, with victory ensuring Real Madrid cannot catch them at the top of the table. Yamal’s effort and Fermin Lopez’s goal took Hansi Flick’s side seven points clear of Los Blancos with two matches remaining, to clinch Barcelona’s 28th title and complete a superb domestic treble. Only the UEFA Champions League title escaped an exciting young Barca side this season, as they won the league for the second time in six years, at Espanyol’s ground again just as in 2022-2023. Back then,
Jannik Sinner on Thursday marched into the semi-finals of the Italian Open after destroying Casper Ruud in straight sets 6-0, 6-1, while Coco Gauff won a marathon three-set battle with China’s Zheng Qinwen to advance to the women’s singles final. American Gauff is to face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in today’s title match after pulling through 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) in a match that lasted over three-and-a-half hours. Ruud was supposed to be Sinner’s toughest test in Rome since he came back from his three-month doping ban, as the Norwegian came into the match in hot form on clay after winning in
Shohei Ohtani on Thursday delivered his first two-homer game of the season and had six RBIs as the Los Angeles Dodgers poured it on with five long balls in a 19-2 victory over the visiting Athletics. Max Muncy, Andy Pages and James Outman also hit home runs for the Dodgers, who left no doubt by taking a 13-2 lead following a seven-run third inning. Muncy and Kim Hye-seong each had three hits for Los Angeles. Dodgers right-hander Matt Sauer led off a bullpen game by allowing two runs in four innings. Left-hander Justin Wrobleski (1-1) finished with four scoreless innings after he
RSS