Flyers and Capitals turning up the hate

5:33 PM ET

WASHINGTON — The hatred and the gamesmanship have reached DEFCON 1.

This first-round Eastern Conference series between the Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers has reached Game 6 and it’s getting nasty on and off the ice. The Presidents’ Trophy-winning Capitals had a 3-0 lead until the Flyers pulled out two consecutive wins to make it interesting. Philadelphia will try to knot the series at 3-3 when puck drops at noon ET Sunday at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Despite the outcome of the last two games — Flyers goaltender Michal Neuvirth has been the difference — Capitals coach Barry Trotz is pleased with his team’s play.

“It evens out. It always does,” Trotz said. “I make fun of the hockey gods, but when you look back, it sort of always evens out. If you play hard and you play well, you’re going to get rewarded. Just play the right way, and right now I like the way we’re playing. We’re playing the right way.

“We’ve just got to find the back of the net, and we will.”

The physicality and nastiness has progressed too. Both teams are taking liberties and both coaches are voicing their displeasure.

Brayden Schenn and T.J. Oshie settled things early in Game 5. Rob Carr/Getty Images

It was evident the Capitals took exception to the Brayden Schenn’s cross-check to the knees of Evgeny Kuznetsov in Game 4, because teammate T.J. Oshie dropped the gloves with Schenn to begin Game 5. With the retaliation in the books, the teams settled in for a spirited contest.

“It’s always cool when you …

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