Capitals angered by Schenn hit; McDonald promoted to Flyers' 3rd line

WASHINGTON -- Furious with Brayden Schenn's hit on Evgeny Kuznetsov, the Capitals sent a video of the Game 4 incident to the league.

The Caps said they would use the hit _ Schenn cross-checked the Washington center on the back of his right leg _ as motivation for Game 5 on Friday night at the Verizon Center, where they can wrap up the best-of-seven series.

"All I'm going to say about that is it was a pretty dumb play by me," Schenn said after Friday's morning skate. "No reason for that."

The Capitals also sent the league a video of what they thought was a questionable hit by Wayne Simmonds earlier in the series.

Is Washington coach Barry Trotz attempting to get the refs to watch the Flyers more closely?

"We take a lot of pride in playing the game the right way and playing hard," Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said. "I'm not getting involved in any of that stuff."

McDonald promoted. Colin McDonald was moved from fourth-line to third-line right wing. Does that mean if the series goes seven games, he will end up on the top unit?

McDonald smiled at the question.

"No, I think this is the highest I'll go," said the 6-foot-2, 219-pound McDonald, who had seven hits in Game 4, getting his first playoff action since being recalled from the Phantoms earlier in the week.

McDonald, 31, will be on a unit that also includes center Nick Cousins and left winger Matt Read. He played alongside Cousins for a handful of AHL games with Lehigh Valley.

"I know how he plays and what he likes to do, so there's really not much of an adjustment," McDonald said. "It should be a seamless transition."

Neuvirth in net. As expected, Michal Neuvrith, coming off a 31-save performance in the Flyers' 2-1 win in Game 4, will make his second straight start.

A Washington reporter asked Hakstol about ex-Capital Neuvirth filling in for Steve Mason during the season.

"First of all , I guess I'd argue the point of Neuvy filling in for us," Hakstol said. "Neuvy's never been filling in for us. He's one of two very important players for us" in the net. "He did for us the other night exactly what he's done in the regular season: He goes in and provides that calm presence and gives us an opportunity to win."

Jay Snider's words. During Thursday's emotional tribute to his father, Ed Snider, Jay Snider issued a warning to Washington:

"To the Caps, if you're watching this, we're not done," he said, drawing loud applause at the Wells Fargo Center.

"He's speaking what he thinks, and obviously we feel the same way in here," Schenn said. "We're going to make a push here in Game 5 and try to come up with a win. That was his message to them."

Breakaways. Center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare will return to the lineup after a one-game suspension. "What happened was unfortunate and I got the consequence of it," Bellemare said. "I was really fortunate that my teammates won and I still have a chance to help the team in Game 5. ... Caps goalie Braden Holtby has a 1.00 goals-against average and a .966 save percentage in four series games. ... In the series, Washington's power play is 8 for 19 (42.1 percent), tops among this year's playoff teams, and its penalty kill is No. 2 in the postseason at 93.3 percent (14 for 15). ... The Flyers outscored the Caps, 1-0, on the power play in their Game 4 win.

Washington has three players who have played in more than 100 career playoff games -- Mike Richards, Justin Williams and Brooks Orpik -- and each has won at least one Stanley Cup. ... Shayne Gostsibehere on Wednesday became the first Flyer to score a playoff goal on his birthday since R.J. Umberger scored twice on his 26th birthday on May 3, 2008, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.