Game 41 Preview: Flyers host Capitals as season hits halfway point

 

 

 

After opening the current homestand with an emotional win, their first in a shootout in over a year, the Flyers were dealt another injury scare. Lucky for them, it turned out to be nothing.

 

Steve Mason had an MRI on Wednesday, but will get the start in goal for the Flyers as they host the Washington Capitals at the official halfway point of the season on Thursday night at Wells Fargo Center.

 

Mason was the Flyers star in a 2-1 shootout win over the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday. He is 7-12-6 this season with a 2.50 GAA and .919 save percentage.

 

Wayne Simmonds was the Flyers other star, scoring the game-tying goal in regulation and getting the deciding goal in overtime. Simmonds leads the Flyers with 16 goals and has 26 points, tied for third on the team.

 

The Flyers still operate around Claude Giroux and Jake Voracek. Voracek is still the NHL's leader in points with 48, though he has just two points in his last six games.

 

Giroux is still battling the injury he suffered on Friday. Despite missing a game, he still sits sixth in the NHL in points and added an assist to his total on Tuesday in his return to the lineup.

 

Andrew MacDonald will be a healthy scratch as Luke Schenn returns to the lineup. Schenn's only game in the past week was Saturday against the Devils, where he was one of seven defensemen for the Flyers.

 

The Capitals come in as the team setting the pace for the third spot in the Metropolitan Division. The Capitals are 21-11-7 on the season with 49 points. 

 

Washington has won three straight games including the Winter Classic. Troy Brouwer scored in the closing seconds to give the Capitals the win over the Blackhawks on New Year's Day. 

 

Two of the hottest players for the Captials are Eric Fehr and Alex Ovechkin. Fehr is on a five-game points streak with six goals and two assists in that time. Ovechkin has seven points over a four-game points streak, including four goals.

 

While Ovechkin leads the team with 20 goals, it is Nicklas Backstrom that leads the team in points with 39, including a team-leading 27 assists.

 

Marcus Johansson is another scoring threat with an even 12 goals and 12 assists on the season.

 

Defensively, the Capitals are led by John Carlson and Mike Green. Both are strong offensive defensemen. Carlson ranks third on the Capitals with 30 points, including 26 assists. Green has 21 points, including 17 assists. Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik serve as the Capitals strong defensive players.

 

In goal, Braden Holtby will get the start for the Capitals. Holtby would be playing in his 23rd consecutive game, setting a new club record, despite starting on Wednesday night in Toronto. Holtby is 19-8-6 with a 2.29 GAA and .921 save percentage.

 

• Power Play: Flyers (5th, 1st at home), Capitals (4th, 4th on road) 
  
• Penalty Kill: Flyers (T-28th, 11th at home), Capitals (22nd, 27th on road) 
• The Flyers won the season series against the Capitals in 2013-14. The Capitals claimed victories on Nov. 1, 7-0, and Dec. 13, 5-4, in a shootout. The Flyers defeated Washington on Dec. 17, 5-2, March 2, 5-4, in overtime and on March 5, 6-4. 

Flyers scratches:  Zac Rinaldo, Andrew MacDonald, Carlo Colaiacovo

Flyers Projected Lineup

Line 1: Brayden Schenn-Claude Giroux-Jake Voracek
Line 2: Wayne Simmonds-Scott Laughton-Michael Raffl
Line 3: R.J. Umberger-Sean Couturier-Matt Read
Line 4: Zac Rinaldo–Pierre-Edouard Bellemare-Vincent Lecavalier

D-Pair 1: Nick Grossmann-Mark Streit
D-Pair 2: Braydon Coburn-Nick Schultz
D-Pair 3: Michael Del Zotto-Luke Schenn

Goalie: Steve Mason

Where to Watch
TV: CSN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

Kevin Durso is the managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on twitter @Kevin_Durso.