PHILADELPHIA — Michal Neuvirth stopped 31 shots in his first start of the playoff series, helping the Philadelphia Flyers stave off a sweep with a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night.

The Capitals still lead the series 3-1 headed into Game 5 on Friday night in Washington.

Shayne Gostisbehere and Andrew MacDonald scored for the Flyers.

Neuvirth was sensational in the third after T.J. Oshie scored early in the period to make it 2-1.

The game was marred by a scary hit into the boards that saw Flyers center Scott Laughton leave on a stretcher. The team said all tests were negative and Laughton would remain overnight in the hospital for precautionary reasons.

PANTHERS 2, ISLANDERS 1: Alex Petrovic scored the tie-breaking goal midway through the third period and Florida beat the Islanders at New York to even their first-round playoff series at two games apiece.

Teddy Purcell also scored for Florida and Jaromir Jagr had an assist for his 200th career playoff point.

John Tavares had his third goal of the series for New York.

NOTES

BLACKHAWKS: The NHL suspended forward Andrew Shaw for one game for yelling an antigay slur from the penalty box and fined him $5,000 for an inappropriate gesture toward the officials during Chicago’s Game 4 loss to St. Louis.

CANUCKS: Vancouver signed former Boston College goalie Thatcher Demko to a three-year entry-level contract. The 36th overall draft pick in 2014, Demko was 27-8-4 with a .935 save percentage as a junior for the Eagles this season.