Capitals Vs. Flyers: Mike Knuble Scores Dirty Goal, Boosts Caps’ Lead After 1

Sean O’Donnell is 37 years old, and recently, the Philadelphia Flyers defenseman has certainly been playing like it.

With the Washington Capitals ramping up the energy late in the first period and already holding a 1-0 lead, O’Donnell fell down during a puck battle in the corner to the left of goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. As he found his way to his feet, he realized he was out of position to defend a streaking Mike Knuble.

Only able to see the giant red No. 22 on Knuble’s back, O’Donnell pushed forward, meeting Knuble just as the puck was being thrown in front of the Flyers goal by Jason Chimera. He hit Knuble from behind, pushing him towards the puck. Knuble lunged forward with his stick, got a piece of the disc, and poked it by Bobrovsky to give the Capitals a 2-0 lead.

The Flyers had their chances in the first period, and you might even be able to say that they outplayed the Capitals for most of the first. They spent over three minutes on the power play and held the puck for the majority of the period, but simply couldn’t capitalize as they wreaked havoc around Michal Neuvirth’s crease.

When the Caps have done the same, they’ve been able to put pucks through Bobrovsky. That’s been the difference so far, and if it keeps up, Washington will have a playoff spot wrapped up in just about two hours from now.