National Hockey League Game Capsules

Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) – Nicklas Backstrom picked up the shootout winner, capping a rally from a three-goal, third-period deficit which sent Washington past Philadelphia, 5-4, to kick off the first edition of a home- and-home series from Verizon Center. Each team had registered a score when Backstrom beat Steve Mason with a forceful forehander to begin the third and final round. Sean Couturier was denied by Philipp Grubauer and the hosts gained the valuable extra point. Mike Green, Dmitry Orlov and Alex Ovechkin tallied in a span of 7:52 late in regulation to wipe out a 4-1 margin for the Capitals, who have won four of five. Grubauer stopped 24 shots for Sunday’s victors. Michael Raffl posted a career-best three assists for the Flyers, who host the Caps on Tuesday having dropped five of their last seven. Couturier, Claude Giroux, Mark Streit and Jakub Voracek also lit the lamp while Mason made 29 saves.

Final Score: Tampa Bay 3, Detroit 0

Detroit, MI (SportsNetwork.com) – Ben Bishop made 28 saves to record his third shutout of the season, and the Tampa Bay Lightning halted a seven-game road losing streak by topping the Detroit Red Wings, 3-0. Tyler Johnson, J.T. Brown and Alex Killorn all scored in the third period for Tampa Bay, which won away from home for the first time since Nov. 12 at Montreal. Petr Mrazek, making his second start of the season, stopped 24 shots in Detroit’s fifth consecutive loss.

Categorized in: NHL