The Flyers And Capitals Did All Sorts Of Fighting In Their Series Opener

The Washington Capitals opened their Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 2-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers tonight. John Carlson pinged a slapshot in off a series of Flyers in the second period, and Jay Beagle added another in the third period. Two goals is far less than the nine that the Islanders and Panthers combined for, but tonight’s game was plenty feisty.

Wayne Simmonds and Tom Wilson each got five-minute majors for fighting here in the third. I really enjoyed the family of smiling Caps fans, casually enjoying this fight without showing much emotion.

Then, right after time expired, Brayden Schenn took aim at Karl Alzner and decked him, prompting a two-team shoving match.

Schenn’s hit was probably retaliation for the shoulder injury that knocked Sean Couturier out of the game. The Flyers said they will re-evaluate him after earlier reports said he’s be out for the series.