Instant Replay: Flyers 3, Capitals 2 (OT)

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This wasn’t just the second of a four-game homestand for the Flyers.

It was a game with far-reaching implications for the Flyers because the Washington Capitals occupy the third seed in the Metro Division and Craig Berube’s team needs every point it can get to get back into the playoff picture in the second half of the season.

Jakub Voracek broke a 2-2 tie on Thursday night at Wells Fargo Center with a power-play goal for a 3-2 overtime victory.

So Berube's Flyers hit the halfway juncture of the season (41 games) with 39 points. They were 12 behind the Caps in the division and nine behind Boston for the wild card.

Realistically, they need 57-58 points between now and season’s end to make the playoffs, based on the current standings where 94 points may be necessary for a wild-card berth.

Notable goals
Washington took a 2-1 lead at 3:08 of the period on Karl Alzner’s shot from the point in which it appeared that the puck was tipped by Nick Backstrom with a stick above the net. It went to a long review -- so long players were skating on the ice -- before the officials said the goal was inconclusive to overturn.

Goalie report
Steve Mason, playing with what we suspect is a sore back, had 26 saves and one awkward moment in the opening period going down to make a save.

Power play
The Caps were 1 for 3, while the Flyers were 1 for 4. The Flyers had one late in the third period and failed to capitalize, though they tested goalie Braden Holtby.

Penalty kill
Mason would have liked to have that shot from Alex Ovechkin above the left circle back. It sailed over his shoulder. Overall, the Flyers' PK units were good.

Milestone
Holtby set a new Caps club record with his 22nd consecutive start, passing Wayne Stephenson (21).

Injuries
The Flyers had two in the first period. Nick Grossmann might have been concussed by a hard, legal check from Tom Wilson later in the period, not to mention he injured his right shoulder. Soon after, Mason seemed to injure himself during a Caps PP scrum, going down on the ice. Grossmann did not return while Mason did.

5-D
With the loss of Grossmann, Nick Schultz doubled up on shifts with Grossmann’s partner Mark Streit as the Flyers finished the game with five defensemen.

Scratches
Defensemen Carlo Colaiacovo and Andrew MacDonald; forward Zac Rinaldo. All are healthy.

Up next
The Flyers face the struggling Boston Bruins on Saturday afternoon at Wells Fargo Center in Game 3 of this homestand.

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