After a game earlier this season, Caps coach Bruce Boudreau talked about how the good goalies come up big in money situations. The Caps had been waiting for free agent signee goaltender Jose Theodore to do that this season.

Theodore had been playing much better of late, but he came through in a big way in Tuesday's 2-1 victory over the rival Flyers. He made crucial saves throughout the game but stopped all three shootout chances to lock up the win.

That's the kind of game that could change a season for Theodore, who got a standing ovation after the game from the sellout crowd at Verizon Center.

He's playing aggressive, challenging hockey in goal now, not sitting back and waiting for the game to come to him, but coming out and taking away angles from shooters.

Whether by blowout or shootout, the Washington Capitals needed a win over the "we don't like them" Philadelphia Flyers to give their winning streak a serious sense of accomplishment. It happened by shootout, their seventh straight win and one supported by a home-ice crowd that -- for a change -- didn't leave much room for the rival fans.