WASHINGTON — Braden Holtby made 26 saves and Nicklas Backstrom scored the only goal of the game, as the Capitals beat the Flyers 1-0 in Game 6 of their first-round series. With the win, the Capitals have advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs where they will meet the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Backstrom scored at 8:59 of the second period with Marcus Johansson and Alex Ovechkin picking up the assists. Backstrom’s goal ended an impressive stretch from Flyers goalie Michal Neuvirth who had stopped 72 consecutive shots dating back to Game 4, prior to Backstrom’s eventual game-winning tally.
This marks the first time since 2011 that the Capitals have won a playoff series in fewer than seven games. The Capitals and Penguins will meet in the postseason for the first time in seven years. Pittsburgh beat Washington in seven games in a second-round series in 2009.
