Philadelphia 2, Washington 1

FLYERS 2, CAPITALS 1 (SO): Wayne Simmonds scored in the fourth round of the shootout and Ilya Bryzgalov stopped three of four attempts in the extra session as host Philadelphia continued its sizzling play in March.

All-Star Claude Giroux netted his 27th goal and former Capital Jaromir Jagr had an assist for the Flyers, who improved to 9-2-1 this month and remained four points behind fourth-place Pittsburgh. The Penguins clinched a postseason berth with a 5-1 win over Nashville on Thursday.

Captain Alex Ovechkin scored his sixth goal in five contests and Braden Holtby turned aside 27 shots for the Capitals, who regained sole possession of eighth place in the Eastern Conference despite losing three of their last four games.

After rookie Matt Read and Matt Hendricks scored in the first round, Bryzgalov and Holtby denied a pair of attempts apiece before Simmonds wristed his attempt past the Capitals' netminder. Bryzgalov denied Troy Brouwer's bid to extend the contest and preserved the Flyers' victory.

Bryzgalov, who finished with 30 saves, denied Marcus Johansson with a poke check on a penalty shot midway through the second period.

Ovechkin opened the scoring 26 seconds into the contest after cleaning up a loose puck on the doorstep and wristing it past Bryzgalov for his team-leading 33rd goal.

Giroux leveled the contest 6:05 into the second period after leaving veteran defenseman Dennis Wideman in his wake before beating Holtby.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Johansson was awarded the penalty shot attempt after he was tripped up by Philadelphia defenseman Matt Carle on a breakaway. ... Bryzgalov has stopped nine of 11 penalty shot attempts in his career. ... The Flyers have won three of the four meetings this season. ... Capitals right wing Alexander Semin missed the contest with a lower body injury. Joel Ward played in his place.

• Philadelphia will play their next game at home against Montreal . The Flyers have a W/L % of .452 after a win and .750 after a loss.
• Washington will play their next game at home against Winnipeg . The Capitals have a W/L % of .526 after a win and .472 after a loss.