WASHINGTON D.C. (October 27) – They got mad, they got even, and they doubled up.

The last thing on the agenda Tuesday night was the Olympics, yet this game provided an enticing preview of the future matchup featuring Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin and Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger.

Both teams stormed the ice and by the end of the first period had combined for 21 shots on goal, but solid goaltending from Capitals Jose Theodore and Flyers Ray Emery kept the score at nil.

Washington Capitals goaltender Jose Theodore (#60) gets low to protect the net, scoring 41 saves against the Philadelphia Flyers. (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

Flyers goaltender Ray Emery (#29) controls the puck against a furious first period Capitals offense. (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

In the second, Philadelphia’s physical play started to wear on the Capitals attack.  The Flyers Scott Hartnell scored on a power play at 3:06.  Philadelphia successfully stymied two Capitals power plays, including a 2-man advantage lasting over 90 seconds.  Philadelphia poured it on with a second power play goal from a Braydon Coburn slapshot, and threatened to bring an abrupt end to the Capitals four-game winning streak.

The red sweaters were down 2-0, but they weren’t out.  “We got a little bit angry, it was good for us,” said Nicklas Backstrom, Capitals forward.  Late in the second period, Alex Ovechkin found the net, bringing life to the team and the crowd.  Two minutes later, Backstrom capitalized on a power play to tie the game 2-2.

Alex Ovechkin (#8) celebrates with teammate Alexander Semin (#28). (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

Despite 21 shots on net, the third period was all Washington.  Jose Theodore held his ground, amassing 41 saves.  Capitals Head Coach Bruce Boudreau tipped his hat to Jose’s performance, saying “Theo kept us in the game..he was really solid.”

Jose Theodore (#60) defends the net behind forward Scott Hartnell (#19) to hold the Capitals lead and defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2. (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

At 5:24 of the third, Alexander Semin beat Emery from the top of the zone with a shot that deflected off Flyers’ defenseman Kimmo Timonen.  It was Semin’s seventh goal of the season, putting the Capitals on top 3-2.

Ovechkin scored the final blow with an open net goal at 19:14 to seal the win at 4-2; it was Ovechkin’s eleventh goal of the season.  Nicklas Backstrom scored four points with one goal and three assists.

Click below for a slideshow of images from Tuesday night’s game and more from OffWing Photo.