Flyers Lose Game 5 To Capitals, Lose Knuble To Hamstring Injury

April 20th, 2008 by James

Flyers Capitals Game 5
The season was on the line for the Washington Capitals on Saturday, and they came out like it. They played with a no-holds barred energy and knocked the Flyers back on their heals.

The Flyers got some early pressure on Washington netminder Christobal Huet, but he came up big to keep the Flyers off the scoreboard early.

The Flyers had an early power play chance as two Capitals went after Scottie Upshall, who has done a terriffic job of getting under their skin. However, the Flyers power play, which was rated 2nd in the league during the regular season, let this chance go by the wayside.

The Capitals desperation and intensity overpowered the Flyers for the first period and a half of the game. During a 5 on 3 power play for Washington, Nicklas Backstrom would score to put the Capitals up by one. That would be the score at the end of the first period, which the Capitals threw just about everything at the Flyers.

Washington would start the second period with the same intensity and would get an early goal by Sergei Federov. This would put the Capitals up by 2. However, the Flyers would strike back on a 5 on 3 power play of their own. Vaclav Prospal would take a Danny Briere pass and bury it behind Christobal Huet to get the Flyers within one.

During the third period, the Flyers began to push back against the Capitals and starting getting quality chances, but Huet was there to keep the Capitals ahead. As Philadelphia gained momentum, 3 straight marginal penalties were called against the Flyers. One of these Washington power play opportunities resulted in a goal to put the Capitals back up by 2.

Derian Hatcher would score with about 5 minutes remaining in the third period. However, the Flyers were not able to complete the comeback. With Martin Biron pulled and an extra skater on the ice, the Flyers pressured, but Huet made the save necessary to win the game.

During the second period, Mike Knuble went down to block Mike Green’s shot. Green decided to pull up and pass instead and Knuble tried to change directions, but his skate got caught in the ice. His hamstring was injured on the play and will be out for the rest of the first round.

Highlights
Game Summary
Box Score

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