Kuznetsov tallies twice as Caps down Flyers
PHILADELPHIA -- Evgeny Kuznetsov netted his second two-goal game of the season and Braden Holtby turned aside 33 of 34 shots to earn his 30th win, leading the Washington Capitals to a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers Wednesday night.
Nicklas Backstrom added a goal and an assist and T.J. Oshie netted his 24th goal of the season as the Capitals halted a two-game losing streak following their bye week.
Brayden Schenn scored the only goal for the Flyers, who have lost six of their last eight games (2-5-1).
Holtby (30-8-5) reached the 30-win mark for the third straight season. Philadelphia goaltender Michael Neuvirth (25 saves) took the loss and fell to 10-8-1. The Flyers (28-25-7) are 9-15-4 since winning 10 in a row in November and December.
The Capitals grabbed a 3-1 lead on goals from two of the NHL's best passers.
Backstrom, who ranks second in the NHL with 44 assists, opened the scoring 6:33 into the game when he snapped a wrist shot through defenseman Radko Gudas and over the shoulder of Neuvirth. Oshie intercepted a pass attempt by Flyers defenseman Brandon Manning and earned his 19th assist on the goal.
Kuznetsov made it 2-0 with 3:32 remaining in the opening period, also wristing a shot over Neuvirth's shoulder.
The Flyers cut the lead in half 6:54 into the second period when Schenn netted his 19th goal of the season and his third in three games. Schenn, who leads the NHL with 14 power-play goals, planted himself in front of Holtby and deflected Manning's point shot past the Capitals goaltender for his fifth even-strength goal of the season.
Washington restored its two-goal lead with 2:01 remaining in the second period when, after killing off a Philadelphia power play, Kuznetsov finished off a 3-on-2 rush by banking a shot off the stick of Gudas and between the legs of Neuvirth.
Alex Ovechkin was held without a shot until the final minutes of play when his breakaway shot rolled in the crease and Oshie pushed it over the goal line.
NOTES: Capitals D Nate Schmidt was a healthy scratch in favor of D Taylor Chorney, who played in just his 15th game of the season. A big reason is that Washington's top six defensemen have been incredibly healthy this season, each playing in more than 50 games so far. ... Capitals C Lars Eller played in his 500th NHL game. ... The Flyers return to action Saturday night in Pittsburgh when they face the Penguins at Heinz Field, home of the NFL Pittsburgh Steelers. ... The Capitals return home to face the Edmonton Oilers on Friday, then hit the road for visits to Nashville and New York.