Capitals Morning Skate: Key Highlights and Updates
The Washington Capitals host the Philadelphia Flyers tonight at Capital One Arena. This is the fourth meeting between these Metro Division rivals in 57 days.
Series context and playoff outlook
The Flyers won both games played in Philadelphia. The Capitals claimed a 3-1 victory at home on Feb. 25. That game was the first meeting after the Olympic break for both teams.
Washington enters trailing Philadelphia by three standings points. The Flyers are one of four teams the Capitals must pass in eight games across 15 days. Moneypuck.com gave Washington a 6.3 percent playoff probability on Tuesday morning.
Recent form and what to expect tonight
Capitals coach Spencer Carbery highlighted Philadelphia’s strong goaltending and deeper lineup balance. He noted the Flyers can strike with all four forward lines and three defensive pairs.
Carbery also flagged their transition speed and tight defensive structure. Washington must avoid giving the Flyers any numerical advantages in transition.
Washington came alive offensively in the final two games of a recent road trip. The team scored 11 combined goals after 10 of 11 earlier games saw two or fewer goals scored.
Fourteen of 18 Capitals skaters recorded points in those two contests. That scoring burst will be needed against a Flyers group playing strong defense and quality netminding.
Key player perspectives
Forward Connor McMichael said Philadelphia is playing like a playoff team. He credited improved goaltending and defensive structure.
Anthony Beauvillier called the season meetings low-event games. He stressed patience and capitalizing on limited chances.
Milestone: Tom Wilson
Right wing Tom Wilson will play in his 900th NHL game tonight. He made his regular-season debut on Oct. 1, 2013, in Chicago.
Wilson turned 32 two days ago. He first saw NHL playoff action as a 19-year-old, without attending a camp, and now reflects on a long career in Washington.
Goaltending matchup
Logan Thompson starts for Washington. This is his 15th start in the Capitals’ past 17 games and his eighth straight start, a career high.
Since returning from injured reserve on Feb. 5, Thompson is 8-4-2 in his last 14 starts. He sports a 2.35 GAA and a .917 save percentage over that span.
Lifetime versus Philadelphia, Thompson is 3-1-1 in five starts. His career numbers against the Flyers include a 2.61 GAA and a .907 save percentage.
Dan Vladar draws the start for the Flyers. He has allowed two or fewer goals in 10 of his last 14 starts. That group includes his appearance against Washington on Feb. 25.
Vladar seeks his 25th win of the season, doubling last year’s total of 12. He is 4-3-0 in seven lifetime starts versus the Capitals.
Schedule stretch and remaining games
The Capitals are 5-1-2 in their last eight games. Eight contests remain on the regular-season slate.
If Washington duplicates that 5-1-2 mark over the final eight games, they would finish with 95 points. That total may still fall short of a playoff berth, though a recent Eastern Conference last spot required 91 points.
After tonight’s game, Washington has seven April contests left. The team faces four games in six nights next: at New Jersey, home versus Buffalo, and at the New York Rangers.
Projected lineups
WASHINGTON
- Forwards: McMichael, Strome, Ovechkin; Lapierre, Dubois, Wilson; Beauvillier, Sourdif, Leonard; Duhaime, Kampf, Miroshnichenko.
- Defense: Fehervary, Sandin; Chychrun, van Riemsdyk; Hutson, Roy.
- Goal: Logan Thompson. Healthy extras: Liljegren, Chisholm, McIlrath. Out: Protas, Frank.
PHILADELPHIA
- Forwards: Konecny; Dvorak, Martone; Barkey, Zegras, Tippett; Grundstrom, Cates, Michkov; Couturier, Glendening, Hathaway.
- Defense: Sanheim, Ristolainen; York, Drysdale; Seeler, Andrae.
- Goal: Dan Vladar. Healthy extras: Wilson, Bump, Juulsen. Out: Abols, Grebenkin, Foerster.
Filmogaz.com’s Capitals Morning Skate coverage will include key highlights and updates after the final buzzer. Expect analysis of special teams, goaltending, and how the film translates to standings movement.
