Evgeny Kuznetsov Scores Twice, Capitals Beat Flyers 4-1 For First Win Since Six-Day Break

Egeny Kutznetsov scored twice to lift the Washington Capitals to 4-1 road victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night.

Evgeny Kuznetsov Scores Twice, Capitals Beat Flyers 4-1

Braden Holtby made 33 saves, and Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie each recorded a goal and an assist for the Capitals (40-12-7), who had lost two straight following a six-day break.

Kuznetsov scored a power-play goal from the right circle at 16:28 of the first period, then made it 3-1 at 17:59 of the second by scoring off the stick of Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas and between Michal Neuvirth’s pads.

“If I have a chance to shoot I’ll always shoot, but if I see someone open I’ll try to pass,” Kuznetsov said. “Just happens pretty quick on the ice. I’ll always try to play for my partner.”

Neuvrith stopped 25 shots, and Brayden Schenn scored for Philadelphia (28-25-7), which scored less than two goals for the sixth time in the last nine games.

The Flyers next face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2017 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series on Saturday.

“It’s very frustrating,” Philadelphia captain Claude Giroux said. “We did a lot of good things tonight. We had good opportunities, and same story. Need to find a way here.”

An added source of frustration for the Flyers was likely the fact that they had two goals overturned after video review.

First, they believed they had scored 23 seconds into the game when Jakub Voracek scored from the slot. However, it was ruled following a coach’s challenge that Philadelphia forward Dale Weise interfered with Holtby.

Then, at 3:57 of the second period, the horn sounded after defenseman Ivan Provorov’s shot from the left side looked like a goal, but a review showed the puck hit the crossbar.

Capitals coach Barry Trotz praised the video review crew. “Nobody saw the interference on the first one, but they did,” said Trotz.

Oshie scored the only goal of the third period, tapping in a loose puck in the crease at 14:43 to make it 4-1. Alex Ovechkin helped set up the play.

Backstrom admitted he got “a little luck” on his goal, which he attempted to shoot between Neuvirth’s pads.

Washington killed two Philadelphia power plays.

Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen, who is suffering from a lower-body injury, played one shift in the final 33:06. Trots said Niskanen would be evaluated Thursday but didn’t believe the injury was serious. Washington forward Lars Eller played his 500th NHL game.

The Capitals next host the Edmonton Oilers on Friday, while the Flyers will visit the Penguins at Heinz Field on Saturday.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 22: Evgeny Kuznetsov #92 of the Washington Capitals skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on February 22, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Capitals defeated the Flyers 4-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena