PHILADELPHIA – The Washington Capitals extended their winning streak by edging out the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 on Thursday night, thanks to another stunning performance from Alex Ovechkin and two goals from rookie sensation Matvei Michkov. The game, held at the Wells Fargo Center, marked the Flyers’ fifth straight loss, deepening their struggles as they slip down the standings.
With Ovechkin on the verge of overtaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record, excitement was high. Ovechkin struck first for the Capitals, scoring his 879th career goal shortly before the end of the first period, bringing him within 15 of Gretzky's tally of 894. The veteran's goal was his 26th of the season, extending his scoring streak to four games.
"It’s incredible how he continues to score at this level, at the age he's at (39). We just enjoy it and we’re glad he’s on our side," said Capitals coach Spencer Carbery. Ovechkin’s continuing success invigorates his teammates and adds energy to the Capitals’ offense.
The Flyers opened the scoring with Michkov's impressive breakaway goal at 17:31 of the first period, marking his 15th of the year and setting the stage for what would be an eventful night. Just before the first period ended, Ovechkin tied the game with his goal, swiftly shifting the momentum to Washington.
Heading to the second, the Capitals took the lead after Connor McMichael tipped home Aliaksei Protas’s pass at 4:17, making it 2-1 for Washington. But the Flyers showcased resilience. On the power play just three minutes later, Tyson Foerster leveled the score, redirecting Emil Andrae's shot to net his 15th goal. Shortly after, Michkov reestablished the Flyers' lead with his second goal, assisted by Rodrigo Abols, sending the Flyers to the locker room up 3-2 after two periods.
Despite the Flyers’ lead, the third period was all Capitals. Lars Eller tied the game with 6:23 left on the clock, quickly followed by Jakob Chychrun's game-winner at 12:05. Chychrun's goal, set up by John Carlson, demonstrated the Capitals' capacity to pull together when it mattered most. It was evident, too, as they marked their 18th comeback win of the season, solidifying their position among the best teams in the NHL this year.
Flyers’ goaltender Ivan Fedotov recorded 14 saves on 18 shots but faced relentless pressure from the Capitals’ offensive power. Charlie Lindgren, on the other hand, made 19 saves for the Capitals, preserving their lead through intense moments late in the game.
After the game, Michkov expressed mixed feelings about the outcome, noting, "I thought we played well. Just some breaks here and there didn't go our way." Despite his stellar two-goal performance, the defeat underlined the Flyers’ current challenges as they head toward the upcoming match against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The matchup hinted at the Flyers’ potential, particularly with Michkov showing flashes of brilliance throughout the game. Flyers’ rookies are gaining valuable experience among the storm but must find consistency to reverse their fortunes.
With Ovechkin continuing his historic pursuit and Michkov establishing himself as the next rising star, the Capitals and Flyers will meet again, and fans are eager to see how these young players will evolve and whether Ovechkin can keep pacing toward Gretzky’s record.
Games like this highlight the unpredictability of hockey and the potential for stories from both ends — veterans pushing records and rookies striving for recognition.