Section 215
Fansided

Philadelphia Flyers Host Red-Hot Capitals on Rivalry Night

By Larry Henry

Feb 19, 2017; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Michael Chaput (45) reaches across Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Mark Streit (32) during the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2017; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Michael Chaput (45) reaches across Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Mark Streit (32) during the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dave Hasktol‘s Philadelphia Flyers face a tough test Wednesday evening as they host the NHL’s top-team, the Washington Capitals. 

After a gritty 3-2 win in Vancouver on Sunday, only their second victory out of their last five games overall, the Philadelphia Flyers need to go on a winning run for any chance of making the NHL Playoffs.

Currently with 63 points, and three points behind Florida for the eighth and final playoff spot, the Flyers can ill afford to continue dropping crucial points. The Philadelphia Flyers are 4-5-1 in their last ten games, while they welcome the Capitals to Wells Fargo Center who are 7-2-1 in their last 10.

In their last meeting on January 15th, the Flyers were steamrolled in Washington, losing 5-0 ahead of a bye week. The ‘Orange and Black’ will look to avenge that loss by handing Washington their third consecutive defeat.

Washington, are coming off one-goal losses in Detroit and New York despite winning six-in-a-row before those defeats. Offensively, Alexander Ovechkin is Washington’s main threat, who has 31 goals and 18 assists in 43 regular-season games against Philadelphia.

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Center Nicklas Backstrom is Washington’s best distributor, leading the team in assists (44) and points ( 61). T.J. Oshie (23 goals, 41 points) is also a dangerous offensive weapon to watch, while John Carlson and Matt Niskanen lead an experienced back-line. Goalkeeper Braden Holtby (29-8-5, 2.01 G.A.A.), who was rested on Sunday’s loss, should be in the pipes for tonight’s game.

The main problem for the Flyers has been the failure to score goals consistently. Since New Year’s Eve, they have scored an NHL-low 40 times, while their opponents have netted 103 times since Dec. 31st. Claude Giroux has only netted two points in his previous ten games, while Wayne Simmonds has had to pick up the slack netting four goals in his last five games.

Defensively, they will need to be better too against one of the N.H.L.’s elite scoring teams. The Flyers have allowed 179 goals this season, which ranks for the fifth highest in the league. I expect a lot of emphasis on tonight’s game to be driven on defense by Dave Hakstol, which a high-powered offense coming to town.

I expect Michal Neuvirth to start in-goal tonight, against his former team. The former 2006 second-round pick of Washington, was a huge reason why the Flyers won two playoff games against the Caps last season. He has started eight of the Flyers last 10 games, and has been more consistent in-goal than the struggling Steve Mason.

Next: Philadelphia Flyers win in Vancouver, but future is still uncertain

A win tonight could mean a whole lot for the Flyers who are needing some momentum heading into March. Also, with Saturday’s ‘Stadium Series’ showdown with rivals Pittsburgh quickly approaching too, Hakstol’s team would definitely like a huge win tonight to set the stage.

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