Washington Pulverizes Philadelphia

The Caps extend the series to a game six with a 3-2 win in Washington.

The score says this game was close, but Washington absolutely dominated the first two periods of this game and part of the third.

The Flyers couldn't do anything offensively or defensively. As soon as the Flyers moved the puck down ice, Caps defenders quickly forced the Flyers into bad shots and no second opportunities.

The Caps didn't forecheck too well, but it didn't matter because Washington routinely beat the Flyers to all the loose pucks for the first two periods.

The added pressure forced the Flyers into many penalties and resulted in two power play goals for the Caps. Three penalities in the first period kept the puck in the Flyers zone the entire period.

Washington put significant pressure on Philadelphia during the period and picked up three more power plays with the last resulting in the Caps third goal.

During the last half of the first period and opening minutes of the second period, the Flyers didn't record a single shot on net. During this streak, Washington scored twice, burying the Flyers in a 2-0 hole. Up to that point, it looked like Philadelphia had no chance to come back.

The terrible ice surface in Washington also hurt both teams ability to get consistent scoring opportunities. The ice got worse as the game went on, making it tougher and tougher for the Flyers to comeback.

If this series goes to a game seven and heads back to Washington, whoever jumps out to the early lead will have an even bigger advantage.

Capitals Rookie Nicklas Backstrom has looked as impressive and been more of a gamechanger than Alex Ovechkin during this series. Backstrom has great awareness of where all his teammates are on the ice. He's a great passer and very nifty skater.

Slapshots: Vinny Prospal and Derian Hatcher scored their third and first goals respectively. The Flyers outshot the Caps 21-6 in the third period. Marty Biron went to the bench with one minute left and the Flyers got their best opportunities to score all game with the extra man on the ice. Game six is in Philadelphia Monday night.