Flyers pull into playoff position

WASHINGTON — The surging Flyers moved into a playoff spot Sunday afternoon for the first time since Nov. 10. Twenty-seven seconds into overtime, Travis Konecny scored from the high slot after making a slick move around defenseman John Carlson, lifting the Flyers to a 2-1 win over powerful Washington at Capital One Arena.

Konecny's shot appeared to deflect off the Capitals’ T.J. Oshie, sending the Flyers to their seventh win in their last eight games.

The Flyers were nine points out of a playoff spot when they lost their 10th straight on Dec. 2. Since then, they are 15-5-1.

“We're just finding ways to win hockey games,” Konecny said after his team swept a three-games-overa-four-day period for the third time. “They're tough games to win when you're playing against good teams, especially today. It's a hard road game coming in here knowing they rested yesterday. We're keeping things simple and we're just trusting our abilities.”

The Flyers climbed into the first wild-card spot pending the New York Rangers’ result in Los Angeles on Sunday night. A Rangers win would put the Flyers in the second wildcard spot. The Flyers are just two points behind New Jersey, the second-place team in the Metropolitan Division, and seven behind first-place Washington, a physical and talented team.

“It definitely says something about our character,” Konecny said of the surge.

“We have to keep looking forward and not looking at teams chasing us,” said Brian Elliott, who made 27 saves.