In what could end up being a preview of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals 1-8 matchup come April 13, Flyers-Capitals had every bit the feel of a playoff game Wednesday night.
And it needed an extra period and a skills competition to decide the winner.
Nick Cousins and Sam Gagner scored in the shootout and Steve Mason made two huge stops, as the Flyers beat Washington, 2-1, at the Wells Fargo Center.
The Flyers are now 38-25-13 with 89 points and are two points up on the idle Detroit Red Wings for the East's final wild-card spot (see standings).
Notable goals
Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin broke a scoreless tie at 1:28 of the third period, sniping Mason from top of the left circle just off a power play. It was his 44th of the season.
With the Flyers trailing, 1-0, late in the third period, Brayden Schenn redirected a Claude Giroux blast on a power play at 14:32 for his 25th of the season.
NHL
Goalie report
Mason made his season-high seventh straight start and 12th in the Flyers' last 13 games, and he was once again his steady self in net. Mason finished with 29 saves and was 2 for 2 in the shootout.
Braden Holtby, the Vezina Trophy favorite, was also on his game, turning away 23 shots through two periods. He added eight more saves in the third with one blemish. He was 0 for 2 in the shootout.
In all, Holtby had 33 saves and still has 46 wins, three shy of breaking former New Jersey Devils great Martin Brodeur's record for most wins in a season of 48, set in 2006-07.
Power play
After failing to convert on their first two power plays, the Flyers' PP came up big in the third with a game-tying goal. They finished 1 of 3 on the power play.
The Flyers are 5 of 37 on the PP in their last 10 games.
Penalty kill
The Flyers' first penalty kill Wednesday, a Brandon Manning hook with 24 seconds left in the second period, snapped a streak of 129.18 between kills. They killed it, barely.
They had one more in the third period and one in overtime. The Flyers finished 3 of 3.
Missed call
Capitals winger Jason Chimera avoided a penalty when he butt-ended Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere in the ribs after a whistle during the second period.
Wednesday Night Rivalry
The Flyers improved to 6-0 in Wednesday Night Rivalry games this season. They have one left: Next Wednesday in Detroit in a game that game may decide who gets into the playoffs.
Milestones
Mason played his 400th career NHL game, while Wayne Simmonds played his 600th.
On the farm
Flyers prospect Travis Konecny, who's battling a shoulder injury, was in attendance for Wednesday's game. He said he does not need surgery and will resume playing next week.
Scratches
Forwards Scott Laughton, R.J. Umberger and Jordan Weal and defenseman Evgeny Medvedev were all healthy. Michael Del Zotto (wrist) and Michal Neuvirth (knee) are out for the season.
Up next
The Flyers host the Ottawa Senators on Saturday afternoon in the first of a back-to-back.
Washington heads out West for a two-game set beginning with the Colorado Avalanche Friday.