Flyers

Flyers-Capitals: Game 70 Preview

By
Kevin Durso
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Kevin Durso Sports Editor

I have been writing for Sports Talk Philly since 2011. Currently editor and lead writer of Philadelphia Flyers coverage. Co-host of the YWT Podcast. I also am Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN-FM in South Jersey. I graduated from Cabrini University in 2014.

All posts by Kevin Durso
Sports Editor

Published14 Mar 2019

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3-6-2019_FlyersvsCapitals_2nd_credKateFrese-5

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor Flyers-Capitals: Game 70 Preview

For one night, the Flyers had closed the gap to three points of the final wildcard spot before Tuesday provided the harsh reminder that scoreboard watching can be agonizing. 

The Flyers enter Thursday's game, their 70th of the season, with a five-point deficit in the standings once again. It could be three again by the end of the night if they get help from the Islanders again and take care of business, but that is easier said than done against the division leaders who also made things look very easy in their trip to Philadelphia last week.

The Washington Capitals return to Wells Fargo Center as the Flyers look to keep the momentum going after back-to-back wins.

Game time is at 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Washington Capitals GP G A P
Claude Giroux 69 20 53 73 Alex Ovechkin 69 46 32 78
Sean Couturier 67 28 37 65 Nicklas Backstrom 69 18 49 67
Jake Voracek 66 18 43 61 John Carlson 69 11 50 61
Travis Konecny 69 22 22 44 Evgeny Kuznetsov 64 17 43 60
James van Riemsdyk 53 20 17 37 T.J. Oshie 59 21 23 44
 
Player to Watch
19 Nolan Patrick     8 Alex Ovechkin
Last 5 Games: 1 G, 2 A, 3 P, +2 Last 5 Games: 1 G, 2 A, 3 P, -3
 
It's been two games since Nolan Patrick returned to the lineup and in Monday's game against Ottawa, he was a force. Patrick did not play last Wednesday when Washington made the trip to Philadelphia, so his presence could provide an added boost for the Flyers.
 
From Feb. 14 to Feb. 23, Alex Ovechkin scored six goals over five games. In eight games since, he has just two goals, one coming on the power play in Washington's last visit to Philadelphia. Ovechkin is also nearing another 50-goal season with 46 goals on the season.
 
Goalie Matchup
79 Carter Hart 70 Braden Holtby
22 GP, 13-8-1, 2.79 GAA, .917 SV% 50 GP, 26-17-4, 2.91 GAA, .909 SV%

Carter Hart makes his return. The 20-year-old makes his first start since Feb. 21, when he allowed three goals on nine shots to Montreal and was pulled in the first period. Hart is also making his first career start against the Capitals.

Braden Holtby has been on a roll lately. Until Tuesday's loss to Pittsburgh, where he allowed four goals on 29 shots, Holtby had won five straight starts, including a 25-save shutout against the Devils. Over the five-game winning streak, the Flyers were actually the team that solved him most, scoring three goals on 30 shots in a 5-3 loss.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Michal Neuvirth

Scratches: Jake Voracek, Andrew MacDonald, Brian Elliott, Sam Morin

Left Wing Center Right Wing
23 Oskar Lindblom 14 Sean Couturier 28 Claude Giroux
25 James van Riemsdyk 19 Nolan Patrick 11 Travis Konecny
12 Michael Raffl 21 Scott Laughton 38 Ryan Hartman
44 Phil Varone 10 Corban Knight 27 Justin Bailey
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 6 Travis Sanheim  
53 Shayne Gostisbehere 61 Phil Myers  
8 Robert Hagg 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
37 Brian Elliott    

Lineup Notes

Justin Bailey was called up on Thursday morning to take the place of Voracek in the lineup while he serves out the final game of his suspension, giving the Flyers a 12-forward lineup. Andrew MacDonald comes out of the lineup. Cam Talbot will serve as the backup for Carter Hart.

Capitals Projected Lineup

Scratches: Nic Dowd, Dmitrij Jaskin, Christian Djoos

Left Wing Center Right Wing
8 Alex Ovechkin 92 Evgeny Kuznetsov  43 Tom Wilson
13 Jakub Vrana  19 Nicklas Backstrom 77 T.J. Oshie
 62 Carl Hagelin 20 Lars Eller 10 Brett Connolly
65 Andre Burakovsky 18 Chandler Stephenson  72 Travis Boyd
Defense    
6 Michal Kempny 74 John Carlson  
9 Dmitry Orlov 2 Matt Niskanen  
44 Brooks Orpik 3 Nick Jensen  
Goalie    
70 Braden Holtby    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (22nd, 16th at home), Capitals (9th, T-16th on road)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (26th, 24th at home), Capitals (23rd, 23rd on road) 
  • Recent History vs. Capitals
    • Jan. 8, 2019 – Capitals 5, Flyers 3 (at WSH)
    • March 6, 2019 – Capitals 5, Flyers 3 (at PHI)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Capitals 
    • Claude Giroux – 39 GP, 20 G, 20 A, 40 P
    • Sean Couturier – 27 GP, 6 G, 13 A, 19 P
    • James van Riemsdyk – 28 GP, 7 G, 11 A, 18 P

Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic