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The Caps hope the scene will be a little different tonight in the friendly confines of Verizon Center. (AP Photo)
In about the least impressive way possible, the Capitals suddenly have won four straight, accumulating a slew of one goal victory over three bad teams. Now you should never have to come back from a two goal deficit to the Islanders, but in one sense you have to like how the Capitals have been doing it.
In some games the Capitals have won by relying on their heavy firepower. Alexander Ovechkin had every goal and the shootout winner in a victory against Nashville. In other games though the Capitals have looked more balanced and played like a team, as a myriad list of scorers including Jeff Schultz, Eric Fehr and Chris Clark all tallied goals in a recent 5-4 victory over Atlanta.
And after getting embarrassed by another team from Philly yesterday, the Capitals hope to avenge their own demons and beat a Flyers team that had a Mike Richards hat-trick in a wild 6-5 overtime win against the Caps in Philadelphia on October 6th.
Who’s Hot: While the Capitals have seen better contribution from secondary scorers, the also have recently gotten a hot hand from a guy who is counted on to produce. Mike Green not only had a goal and the primary assist on the game-winner against the Islanders, but he also now has the longest scoring streak among any Capital in this young season. Green has had at least a point in five straight games, recording 2 goals and 4 assists in this time.
Who’s Not: We usually love him, but Nicklas Backstrom isn’t beyond the occasional freak disappearance. That’s exactly what we are witnessing now in this Halloween season, as Backstrom has been a ghost,posting zero points in the last three game, and is a combined -5. Suffice to say, even If he has been moved around from the first and second line, those numbers are disappointing for an elite player.
The Opposition: The Flyers are obviously a deep and very good team, and with off-season acquisition Chris Pronger, they should be mobile and better prepared on defense as well. However in an off-season in which they have been mentioned as a very strong contender to win the Stanley Cup, the Flyers have started the year a little slow, going 5-3-1 so far and coming off a game in which they looked very punch less in a 4-1 loss to the San Jose Flyers.
Nevertheless it would be very unwise to sleep on the Flyers. This team has an excellent mix of speed (Mike Richards, 6 goals 4 assists, and Jeff Carter, 4 goals 6 assists) and size. (Scott Hartnell, 1 goal and 3 assists, and Aaron Asham, 3 goals)
Injury Update: The Flyers lose a major threat for tonight’s game as Simon Gagne will be out. Blair Betts is also out with a long-term dislocated shoulder injury. For tonight’s game the Capitals will be missing the services of Eric Fehr and Quintin Laing as Tyler Sloan will step up tonight to play wing. In a bit of good news, Alexander Semin is said to be ready to play.
Flyers Leaders:
Mike Richards- 6G 4A 10P
Jeff Carter- 4G 6A 10P
Capitals Leaders:
Alexander Ovechkin- 9G 8A 17P
Nicklas Backstrom- 2G 9A 11P
For more info: Do the Capitals have a issue with toughness. Japers Rink thinks so.
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