Fresh off their poor Western Canada road trip, the Flyers faced the top team in the NHL for a Wednesday Night Rivalry tilt at the Wells Fargo Center.
The last time the Washington Capitals met the Flyers in mid-January, the Caps humiliated them, 5-0, in D.C.
No rout this time, but the Caps still defeated the Flyers, 4-1, as more precious points slipped away in the search for a wild card.
Evgeny Kuznetsov had two goals for the Caps. His second was a crusher, coming in the final 2:01 of the second period to give Washington a 3-1 lead.
The Flyers are 3-6-1 since coming out of the All-Star break and 9-15-4 since their 10-game win streak.
Coach’s challenge
Barry Trotz challenged Jakub Voracek’s goal 23 seconds into the game for goaltender interference. It was an easy goal to overturn, too, as Dale Weise clearly pushed Braden Holtby aside before Voracek scored.
No goal
With the Flyers trailing, 2-0, rookie defenseman Ivan Provorov thought he scored in the opening minute of the second period. The game stopped and the Flyers celebrated while the officials huddled. Replays showed the puck hit the crossbar.
Points
Nicklas Backstrom’s first-period goal was his fifth goal and 15th point in his last 10 games.
Notable goals
Kuznetsov’s power-play goal went in and out of the net so quickly that no one was really certain it was a goal. That is why Sean Couturier remained in the box a good 30 seconds after it was scored.
Goalie report
Michal Neuvirth was making his fifth straight start in goal.
Holtby had an excellent stop on Pierre-Edouard Bellemare’s backhander at the right post with 6:18 left in the first period.
Power play
The Flyers were 0 for 2. They mixed up their first unit and changed the personnel back to its former self, even putting Shayne Gostisbehere back on the point and Voracek back at the half wall. Their second power play had several passes just a hair off for a clean shot.
Penalty kill
The Caps had the Flyers chasing their passes all over the ice on their power play. They were 1 for 2 in the game.
Injuries
The Caps lost defenseman Matt Niskanen in the second period with a lower-body injury.
Fights
There were several scrums on one board play in the second period but no fights.
Scratches
Forwards Jordan Weal (concussion) and Travis Konecny (left ankle and knee), defensemen Nick Schultz (healthy) and Michael Del Zotto (healthy).
Up next
The Flyers practice on Thursday 11 a.m. at Skate Zone. They leave later that day for Pittsburgh and will practice Friday at 5 p.m. at Heinz Field for the Stadium Series outdoor game against the Penguins on Saturday.