Scary hit leaves Laughton face down on ice; Flyers C stretchered off
Scary scene as Scott Laughton is checked into the boards, has since been transported to a local hospital. pic.twitter.com/tCbqB8U6W9
— 120 Sports (@120Sports) April 21, 2016
The Flyers got an emotional 2-1 win, staving off a sweep by the East leaders. The Capitals still lead the series 3-1 headed into Game 5 Friday night in Washington.
Michal Neuvirth had 31 saves in his first start of the playoff series. "We talked about it — let's have some fun and enjoy the moment. We did," he said.
Here's the ovation that Scott Laughton got as he left the ice. Philly is with you, Scott. pic.twitter.com/IXxv1OiKdS
— Sons of Penn (@SonsofPenn) April 21, 2016
Shayne Gostisbehere and Andrew MacDonald each scored for the Flyers, who rebounded following Game 3's embarrassing end in which fans pelted the ice with souvenir wristbands.
"The fans were a little bit better than last game," Flyers captain Claude Giroux said. "It's good to have them on our side again."
Outstanding play in the net helped the Flyers even more. Neuvirth was sensational in the third after T.J. Oshie scored early in the period to make it 2-1.
The Capitals still have never swept a best-of-seven playoff series.
Flyers rookie coach Dave Hakstol shuffled the lineup for the win-or-else game. He benched No. 1 goalie Steve Mason for Neuvirth and moved Brayden Schenn to the top line and demoted Jake Voracek.
Mason allowed five power-play goals, including four in a third period, in a 6-1 Game 3 loss. Mason's Game 2 gaffe that allowed Jason Chimera's 101-foot tip-in goal has been replayed on an endless blooper reel in Philly.
Exit Mason, enter Neuvirth.
Neuvirth, who played parts of six seasons in Washington, went 18-8-4 with a 2.27 goal against and a .924 save percentage in 32 games.
That, right there, Scott Laughton losing his footing and tumbling into the boards, is why 1 bracelet on the ice Monday was too many. #Flyers
— Mike Sielski (@MikeSielski) April 20, 2016
Jason Chimera leads an ice tap in front of Capitals bench. ... Prayers for Scott Laughton and a full recovery. #CapitalsTalk #FlyersTalk
— Chuck Gormley (@ChuckGormleyCSN) April 20, 2016
"He always was pretty clutch, so I'm sure he's going to be fine tonight," Voracek said.
He was clutch, indeed. His only misstep came when Oshie backhanded a rebound off Matt Niskanen's shot from the point just 2:38 into the third.
That was it for the Capitals.
"Every series is about getting the four. We need to get the four," coach Barry Trotz said. "The sooner you get the four, it gives you a couple opportunities to rest guys, heal guys (and get) a little mental break from the pressures of playoff hockey and a little more time to prepare."
The Flyers seemed like a new team from the start. Neuvirth stopped all 10 shots and the punchless top line finally broke through to give the Flyers a lead.
Giroux and Wayne Simmonds — 1-2 in team points this season — were each held without a goal or assist through the first three games. They both assisted on Gostisbehere's blast from the point for the 1-0 lead.
Gostisbehere's goal came on the power play, snapping the Flyers' 0 for 13 postseason skid.
Hakstol made all the right moves.
Philadelphia Flyers center Scott Laughton is checked on by trainer Jim McCrossin and center Claude Giroux after being hit during the first period against the Washington Capitals in Game 4 of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center.
"We're not too worried about digging out of a 3-0 hole," he said. "We came here today to win a hockey game."
MacDonald's goal on a one-timer in the second period gave the Flyers a 2-0 lead. MacDonald signed a $30 million, six-year contract with the Flyers in 2014, then slumped so badly that the 29-year-old defenseman was demoted this season to the AHL. He played just 28 games for the Flyers and 43 with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Braden Holtby, who had had stopped 91 of 93 shots, started a day after he left practice with an apparent left leg injury after a collision with a teammate. He had 23 saves.
"We have to start better, manage the puck better and put some traffic in there," Capitals star Alex Ovechkin said.
NOTES: NHL great Wayne Gretzky was at the game, as well as scores of former Flyers stars such as Chris Pronger, Simon Gagne and Kimmo Timonen. They are in Philadelphia for the Ed Snider celebration on Thursday. Snider founded the Flyers and served as their owner until his death on April 11. He died at 83 after a two-year battle with bladder cancer. The event is open to the public and doors open at 11:30 a.m. at the Wells Fargo Center. ... Capitals D Brooks Orpik sat out because of an upper-body injury. ... Gostisbehere turned 23 on Wednesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
