Takeaways: One Bad Minute Sinks Capitals vs. Flyers

WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals got the shots they’d been looking for against the Philadelphia Flyers, but they just couldn’t finish.

Alex Ovechkin scored, but the Capitals ultimately fell 3-1 after a couple miscues and a bad span in the second.

Here are all the takeaways from the loss:

Things Fall Apart In Second Period For Washington Capitals, Who Can't Rally

The Capitals went into the second period with a bit of momentum after Ovechkin's goal to close out the first, but the Flyers quickly got back to dominating.

Philly struck twice in 49 seconds early in th middle frame, with James van RIemsdyk and Wade Allison converting after poor coverage by Washington in front.

JVR's goal made it 2-1 after Darcy Kuemper misplayed the puck behind the net. No one was covering JVR in front, as he cashed in on a quick fee from Owen Tippett.

Then, on the second goal, Kevin Hayes went in alone off the face-off against Kuemper, who fell trying to stay with him. As he went to recover, Hayes stayed with it and got the puck to Allison, who fired it right into the empty net with Kuemper still getting situated and the Capitals scrambling in front.

It marked a major turning point, and thoug they made a big push and got shots on goal, they couldn't solve Carter Hart.

Alex Ovechkin Injects Life Into Washington Capitals, Makes More History

The Capitals found themselves down 1-0 and looking for some kind of spark in the first period after a power-play goal from Scott Laughton, and Ovechkin was the one to answer the bell.

Ovechkin drove to the net and backhanded his own rebound past Carter Hart to make it a 1-1 hockey game.

It marked his 30th goal of the season and tied him with Mike Gartner for the most 30-goal seasons ever (17). The Russian's goal was also his 400th home goal, a feat only four other players have accomplished in their careers.

Ovechkin is now 85 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goals record.

Strome Sits, Anthony Mantha Returns For Washington Capitals

Washington continues to experiemnt with different looks and lines, and saw Dylan Strome take a seat as a healthy scratch for the first time this season. Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson are still gettiing acclimated, and with 14 healthy forwards, head coach Peter Laviolette has faced touch decisions regarding who to scratch.

After Mantha sat for two games, Strome drew out to allow No. 39 back in. Mantha started strong out of the gates, with a couple of nice plays to the front, a breakaway chance and a big hit. There were times where he took a lull, but he ended up registering four shots and one more hit through 17:23 minutes in his return.

Additional Washington Capitals Ice Chips

– Darcy Kuemper stopped 22 of 25 shots.

– Ovechkin led with five shots.

– Marcus Joahnsson and Lars Eller also had four shots.