Near the end of a mostly uneventful third period that was highlighted only by some very nice saves from rookie goaltender Braden Holtby, the Capitals had a great chance to put the game away in regulation. With 3:55 remaining in the third period, Chris Pronger was sent to the penalty box for high-sticking. Pronger would be forced to stay in the box for four minutes since he actually drew blood from David Steckel's nose.
The Flyers did well to kill the penalty, but yet another penalty call on Sean O'Donnell made the difference. O'Donnell was whistled for boarding with 18 seconds left in regulation, which would mean that the Capitals would start with a 5-on-3 advantage for the first five seconds of overtime, before Pronger could reenter for a 5-on-4 Washington advantage.
The Capitals didn't need long once the puck dropped in extra time. They thought they had the victory as Mike Knuble attempted to stuff the puck in the net with a backhand from just outside the crease, but somehow the puck stayed out of the net. Shortly thereafter, the puck fell to Mike Green just inside the blueline. Knuble set a screen in front of Sergei Bobrovsky, and that was all he needed.
Green's goal gave the Capitals their fourth straight win, and ended Philadelphia's win streak at six. Besides Green's game-winner, the other star of the night was Holtby. The young Canadian goaltender in his first NHL start made 23 saves in his second career win.
The Capitals will be back in action on Tuesday night as they visit the New York Rangers.