Sandin and van Riemsdyk score rare goals and Capitals beat Flyers 3-1

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defensemen Trevor van Riemsdyk and Rasmus Sandin ended long goal droughts and the Washington Capitals beat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-1 on Wednesday night, their fifth win in their last six games.

The Capitals now have 42 goals from defensemen this season, the second most in the NHL behind Columbus.

Aliaksei Protas scored an empty-netter for Washington with 26 seconds to play when the Flyers had a six-on-four for his 20th goal of the season, and Logan Thompson made 23 saves. Protas also had an assist.

The Capitals are the only team in the NHL with four players with 20 or more goals this season: Tom Wilson, Alex Ovechkin, Jakob Chychrun and Protas.

Noah Cates scored for Philadelphia 29 seconds into the third period, his first goal in 19 games, and Dan Vladar made 26 stops as the Flyers lost for the sixth time in their last seven games to fall further out of playoff position.

After a scoreless first period, Sandin scored his third goal of the season and his first since Nov. 13 with 6:08 to play in the second. With an assist on the goal, Chychrun now has 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists) in his last eight games.

Cates tipped in a shot by Travis Sanheim early in the third to tie it at 1-1, but van Riemsdyk scored his second of the season with 5:52 to play to put Washington on top to stay. It was his first goal since Oct. 25, a span of 38 games.

The Capitals played without forward and Canadian Olympian Wilson, who missed the game with an illness.

Flyers: Visit the New York Rangers on Thursday night.

Capitals: Hosts Vegas on Friday night.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar stops the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson stops the puck next to Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Noah Juulsen (47) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar, front, stops the puck next to Washington Capitals left wing Pierre-Luc Dubois, back, during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Nick Seeler (24) and goaltender Dan Vladar, bottom, battle for the puck against Washington Capitals right wing Brandon Duhaime (22) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin, second from left, celebrates his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — U.S. Olympic hero Jack Hughes was honored by the New Jersey Devils before their loss to Buffalo on Wednesday night as NHL play resumed following a three-week break.

Buffalo won for the seventh time in 10 games, 2-1, on goals from fellow U.S. Olympian Tage Thompson and Peyton Krebs.

The Devils showed video of Hughes’ overtime goal in the United States’ 2-1 victory over Canada on Sunday in the gold medal game in Milan. The 24-year-old center lost a few teeth in the third period of that game when he was high-sticked by Sam Bennett.

“I’m so proud and so happy that the men’s and women’s hockey teams brought the gold medal back to America,” Hughes told the crowd. “And I’m so proud to represent the New Jersey Devils organization and to represent the great state of New Jersey.”

“I get goosebumps when I watch it back,” Hughes said after the game.

Hughes joked about his missing teeth.

“I’d have to look in the mirror and add it up,” he said. "I have a couple of half- teeth.”

Hughes assisted on Timo Meier’s goal late in the third. Hughes also had a turnover that led to the second Buffalo goal.

“Obviously, this was a tough one for Jack,” Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said. “It’s been a whirlwind for him. He had a lot of short shifts early and Jack’s not a short shift guy. If he’s giving you short shifts, you know he’s not quite feeling it early. All things considered, he gave us a lot.”

Hughes was not at the morning skate Wednesday. He arrived in New Jersey late Tuesday night after being recognized with his U.S. teammates by President Donald Trump at the State of the Union address.

Earlier in the week, a popular deli near the Prudential Center named a sandwich after Hughes. The sandwich is advertised as being ’so tender, you don’t need teeth.

AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

New Jersey Devils' Jack Hughes (86) drives past Buffalo Sabres' Jack Quinn (22)during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New Jersey Devils' Jack Hughes, right, and Buffalo Sabres' Tage Thompson gesture to fans before an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New Jersey Devils' Jack Hughes speaks to fans before an NHL hockey against the Buffalo Sabres Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New Jersey Devils' Jack Hughes (86) greets fans as he walks toward the ice before an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New Jersey Devils' Jack Hughes speaks to fans before an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New Jersey Devils' Jack Hughes (86) speaks to fans before an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)