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Capitals 7, Flyers 0

PHILADELPHIA -- Joel Ward had his first career hat trick and Nicklas Backstrom scored two goals to help the Washington Capitals rout the Philadelphia Flyers 7-0 on Friday night.

Jason Chimera and Troy Brouwer also had goals for the Capitals, who snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 6-7.

Braden Holtby made 30 saves to post his eighth career shutout. He overcame a beating from Flyers goalie Ray Emery during a line brawl in third period.

The struggling Flyers fell to 3-9.

But Philadelphia wouldn't go down with a fight -- literally. Frustrations boiled over early in the third period after Ward scored his third goal to make it 7-0.

It started with Wayne Simmonds going after Capitals tough guy Tom Wilson. While they were trading punches, Emery skated across ice and went after Holtby. The Capitals goalie wanted no part of a fight, but Emery insisted and repeatedly battered him with a flurry of fists.

The Flyers' Brayden Schenn took on Alexander Urbom and Vinny Lecavalier fought Steve Oleksy.

Emery ended up getting 24 penalty minutes, giving the Capitals a four-minute power play. They already scored plenty, however.

Missing captain Alex Ovechkin and his team-high 10 goals was no big deal for the Capitals. They had plenty of firepower without the three-time NHL MVP.

Washington took advantage of turnovers to score their first three goals. After Flyers defenseman Braydon Coburn failed on a clearing attempt, Martin Erat sent a crossing pass to Backstrom, who blasted a one-timer from the left circle over Steve Mason's glove into the top left corner for a 1-0 lead.

Mason made an outstanding save on a three-on-two breakaway, but Ward deflected Mikhail Grabovski's stuffer just 1:24 into the second period to start a five-goal barrage.

After an errant pass by Lecavalier, Chimera picked up a loose puck near center ice, broke in alone and lifted it over Mason's right shoulder. That ended Mason's night.

Emery replaced him in goal and he shut the Capitals out for a mere 65 seconds before Backstrom scored again to make it 4-0.

Ward wristed one in for a 5-0 lead and Brouwer scored late in the period.

Former Flyer Steve Downie played his first game with the team since being reacquired in a trade with Colorado on Thursday. He didn't get any points but accumulated 17 penalty minutes.

Holtby's last shutout was at Winnipeg on March 21.

NOTES: Ovechkin suffered an upper-body injury on Monday against Vancouver, but there's a chance he could be back in the lineup on Saturday when the Capitals play host to Florida. ... The Caps also were missing D John Erskine (upper body) and D Jack Hillen (leg). ... Grabovski's goal was the 100th of his career. ... The Flyers play five of their next seven games on the road. ... The Capitals concluded a five-game road trip. ... Mason was pulled for the first time this season after allowing three goals on eight shots. ... Chimera has goals in four straight games. ... Downie left the ice with blood around his left eye after taking a solid punch from Aaron Volpatti in a second-period fight.