Capitals, Stars and Islanders advance to the second round with one-goal victories.
philadelphia» Early in the third period Sunday, a Flyers fan held up a sign directed at the Capitals that stated, “You’ll choke.”
Not this Washington team, and certainly not against punchless Philly.
Braden Holtby made 26 saves and Nicklas Backstrom scored as the Capitals defeated the Flyers 1-0 and advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals by winning their first-round series in six games.
The Capitals will play the Penguins, setting up a marquee matchup of Alex Ovechkin vs. Sidney Crosby. “It’s going to be a hard series,” Ovechkin said.
The Capitals scored only two goals in the final three games of the Philly series and clearly need more from Ovechkin and Co. to have a chance against the Penguins, who ousted the Rangers in five games.
Flyers goalie Michal Neuvirth was sensational again Sunday, but his team was doomed by a power play that could not cash in against Holtby. The Flyers wasted nearly two minutes of a 5-on-3 power play during the second period.
“We sacrificed our body 5-on-3,” Ovechkin said. “We paid the price and we won.”
Stars 5, Wild 4
B st. paul, minn.» Jason Spezza contributed his fourth goal of the series and three assists as the Stars advanced out of the first round with a victory over the Wild in Game 6.
Jared Spuregon scored two of Minnesota’s four third-period goals, and the Wild came within a fraction of an inch of tying it with 34 seconds remaining when Nino Niederreiter whacked at a loose puck in the crease. Replays showed it in the net, but not quite fully across the goal line as it connected with Kari Lehtonen’s right pad, an oh-so-close call upheld by review.
Isles 2, Panthers 1, 2OT
B new york» John Tavares scored his second goal of the game in the second overtime, propelling New York to the second round with a 4-2 series win. Roberto Luongo bowed out with 49 saves.