NHL playoff roundup: Flyers beat Caps, force Game 5

[April 21, 2016]  The Sports Xchange
 
 PHILADELPHIA -- A change in goaltenders, some special teams success and a pair of goals from defensemen ignited Philadelphia to a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals at Wells Fargo Center Wednesday night, helping the Flyers stave off elimination.

Michal Neuvirth, who replaced Flyers goalie Steve Mason for Game 4, made 12 of his 31 saves in the third period, including a key save in tight on a Tom Wilson rebound with 7:50 to play.

Flyers rookie Shayne Gostisbehere, who celebrated his 23rd birthday Wednesday, took a pass from Claude Giroux and fired a one-timer past Braden Holtby for a 1-0 Flyers lead 5:51 into the game.

The Flyers' other goal was scored by Andrew MacDonald.

T.J. Oshie scored for the Capitals.

Panthers 2, Islanders 1

NEW YORK -- Alex Petrovic scored the tiebreaking goal in the middle of the third period, and Florida went on to beat New York in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at Barclays Center.

The Panthers evened the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.

Teddy Purcell also scored for the Panthers, and Roberto Luongo recorded 26 saves.

John Tavares scored for the Islanders, and Thomas Greiss made 27 saves.

Stars 3, Wild 2

SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- Jason Spezza scored a goal and assisted on another in the second period as Dallas rallied twice to beat Minnesota and taking a commanding 3-1 lead in their first round playoff series.

Patrick Eaves and Ales Hemsky also scored, and Antti Niemi had 28 saves in his first playoff start for the Stars, who were the top seed in the West.

The Wild got goals from Jason Pominville and Charlie Coyle, and 19 saves from Devan Dubnyk.

Sharks 3, Kings 2

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The power play found redemption as San Jose held on to beat Los Angeles at SAP Center.

The Sharks, who went 3-for-4 on the power play one game after going 0-for-5, lead the best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series 3-1. Patrick Marleau, Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski scored for the Sharks.

Trevor Lewis and Luke Schenn scored for the Kings.

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