With Shootout Win Over Washington, Flyers Make Playoff Potential More Secure

Regular season wins at this point of the season aren’t typically much more meaningful than that of the 2-1 shootout victory that the Philadelphia Flyers claimed over the visiting Washington Capitals (54-16-6) on Wednesday night. The win, coupled with Detroit’s 4-3 loss in regulation to Montreal, gives the Flyers (38-25-13) a two-point lead for the Eastern Conference’s second wild card and puts them just two points behind the New York Islanders for the top wild card spot with six games to play, including one against both teams. The Flyers also have a game in hand over the Red Wings while New York holds one over Philly and two over Detroit.

Brayden Schenn’s 25th goal of the season at 14:32 of the third period tied Wednesday’s game at 1-1 before Nick Cousins and Sam Gagner both netted shootout goals for the Flyers on their first two shots of the session. Steve Mason earned the win in net with 30 saves as well as both shots he faced in the shootout. For more on this game, click here.