PHILADELPHIA: Michal Neuvirth stopped 31 shots in his first start of the playoff series to help 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 Friday night in Washington.

Shayne Gostisbehere and Andrew MacDonald each 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 Capitals still have never swept a best-of-seven playoff series.

“Every series is about getting the four. We need to get the four,” coach Barry Trotz said. “The sooner you get the four, it gives you a couple opportunities to rest guys, heal guys (and get) a little mental break from the pressures of playoff hockey and a little more time to prepare.”

In New York, Alex Petrovic scored the tiebreaking goal midway through the third period as the Florida Panthers beat the Islanders 2-1 to even their first-round playoff series at two games apiece.

Teddy Purcell also scored for Florida while Jaromir Jagr had an assist for his 200th career playoff point. Roberto Luongo stopped 26 shots.

John Tavares had his third goal of the series for New York, and Thomas Greiss finished with 27 saves.

“What we talked about was making it real tough to score goals against us,” Panthers coach Gerard Gallant said. “Don’t give up second chances, don’t give the Tavares line second and third chances. It was about working hard and playing our game and I wanted to make sure our guys played aggressive.”

Jason Spezza scored the go-ahead goal with a deflection off his skate as the Dallas Stars defeated the Minnesota Wild 3-2 to push their series lead to 3-1.

Antti Niemi assumed the net from Kari Lehtonen, who started the first three games, and made 28 saves for the Stars. They’ll host Game 5 in Dallas on Friday.

Jason Pominville and Charlie Coyle both gave the Wild the lead with second-period goals, but they weren’t able to sustain the momentum from a spirited comeback in Game 3 for the entire night.

“It’s a typical playoff road win right there,” Spezza said. “Just hunker down in the third period and hold a lead, big saves from our goalie, and good penalty kills.”

Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski scored power-play goals in the second period as the Sharks again moved to the brink of eliminating the Los Angeles Kings from the playoffs, winning 3-2 at home in San Jose.

But knocking the Kings out is never easy. The Sharks blew a 3-0 series lead to Los Angeles in the first round two years ago, becoming the fourth NHL team ever to lose a best-of-seven series after winning the first three games.

“They don’t quit,” Sharks forward Logan Couture said. “We respect that about them. No matter the score, they’re going to continue to push. That has something to do with their coaching staff all the way down to the last player on their team. ... They’ve won championships for a reason.”