Philadelphia Flyers goalie Michal Neuvirth (30) makes the save against Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on April 20, 2016. The Flyers won 2-1.Eric Hartline
Michal Neuvirth stopped 31 shots in his first start of the playoff series, helping the Philadelphia Flyers stave off a sweep with a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night.
The Capitals still lead the series 3-1 headed into Game 5 Friday night in Washington.
Shayne Gostisbehere and Andrew MacDonald each scored for the Flyers.
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.
The game was marred by a scary hit after which Flyers centre Scott Laughton had to leave on a stretcher.
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.
"He always was pretty clutch, so I'm sure he's going to be fine tonight," Voracek said.
He was clutch, indeed.
Oshie backhanded a rebound off Matt Niskanen's shot from the point just 2 minutes 38 seconds into the third.
That was it for the Capitals.
The Flyers seemed like a new team in the first period. Neuvirth stopped all 10 shots and the punchless top line finally broke through to give the Flyers a lead.
Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds – one-two 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 –3 postseason skid.
Laughton was taken off the ice on a stretcher after a hit into the boards late in the first. Washington defenceman John Carlson tangled with Laughton behind the Capitals' net late. Laughton stumbled and his head and neck slammed into the back boards. He went down in a heap face-first and was immobile for several minutes. There was no penalty on the play.
Laughton talked to medical personnel as they strapped him on the board. The Flyers said he was taken to Jefferson Hospital for precautionary reasons.