The Philadelphia Flyers (3-7-4) wrap up the second-half of the back-to-back with a divisional matchup against the Washington Capitals (6-4-0) at Capital One Arena. The puck drops at 7:30pm/ET as the Flyers attempt to return to the win column following consecutive losses.
It’s been a constant struggle for the Flyers to play a full 60 minutes of hockey. An electric beginning when the Ducks came to town Saturday regressed as the minutes ticked off the board and a pair of Flyers leads disappeared.
The complete opposite occurred once the Blue Jackets arrived last night: three quick goals put the Flyers in an early hole yet that didn’t discourage them. The Orange and Black struck fear into Columbus during a Halloween Spooktacular outing that erased the deficit and forced overtime despite coming up short of the win. The Flyers either start strong and then slow down or start flat and later attack; there’s no middle ground.
“We were bad, we weren’t good, we weren’t ready to go,” Trevor Zegras said about the Flyers’ opening 20 minutes. “We didn’t get pucks in behind them, didn’t forecheck, were slow in the neutral zone, slow taking pucks back, [had] two shots. Just not how we play… The second and third period we played our game which was good.”
Philadelphia needs to ride any momentum sustained leading up to Jamie Drysdale’s game-tying goal with 9.6 seconds left in regulation. There’s no excuse for tired legs either as the Flyers are currently on an impressive run going 6-1-1 across their last eight outings in game two of the back-to-back.
The Capitals await the Flyers having won three of their previous four contests. Washington has played 10 games, tied for the fewest games played by any team thus far. Although Alexander Ovechkin is stuck at just one tally to open the season, the Capitals average 3.40 goals per game which is 11th best. The offensive production is led by newcomers Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou as well as youngsters Ryan Leonard and Cole Hutson.
Both squads are equal in terms of special teams. The Flyers’ power play ranks 25th (15.6%) while the Capitals are 23rd (17.9%). Philadelphia is 12th in penalty kill percentage (83%) with Washington right behind at 15th (81.3%). It’s the first meeting this season between the two organizations after they split the four-game season-series last year.
Goaltending Battle: Joseph Woll vs. Logan Thompson
The cycling between the pipes continues between Woll and Dan Vladař for the Flyers. Woll enters coming off his worst performance of the season after allowing five goals on 26 shots for a .808 SV%. He took full accountability for the 5-4 loss to Anaheim and mentioned it’s a game he needs to flush and get back to work. Woll shows a 1-4-2 record with a 2.99 GAA and a .904 SV%.
Thompson returns to tend the crease tonight after dealing with a minor lower-body injury. The 29-year-old has lost three of his four prior starts; he began the season 3-0-0. He allowed 14 shots behind him over that stretch too, but maintains a 2.90 GAA and a .901 SV%.
Philadelphia’s Player to Watch: Alex Bump
The scorching Bump, who netted seven goals in five minor-league appearances, has cooled down since being recalled by the Flyers. Bump’s sophomore season hasn’t been kind; he’s still without a point but the scoring chances are adding up. He generated a team-leading five shots against the Blue Jackets and might finally cash in tonight.
Washington’s Player to Watch: Alex Tuch
Tuch is living up to his eight-year, $84 million deal through his initial 10 games as a Capital. The 11-year veteran and three-time 30+ goal scorer has already found the back of the net seven times, leading Washington in that category. Tuch recorded six points across his four previous contests and produced a multi-goal night in two of those four outings. He also is riding a seven-game point streak against the Flyers.
Philadelphia’s Injury Report:
– Travis Konecny (lower-body)
– Owen Tippett (upper-body)
– Nikita Grebenkin (back)
– Rasmus Ristolainen (upper-body)
Washington’s Injury Report:
– Vincent Desharnais (abdomen)
– Rasmus Sandin (knee)
Philadelphia’s Projected Lines:
Trevor Zegras – Christian Dvorak – Cole Knuble
Porter Martone – Noah Cates – Matvei Michkov
Alex Bump – Denver Barkey – Tyson Foerster
Michael Bunting – Sean Couturier – Noel Acciari
Travis Sanheim – Oliver Bonk
Cam York – Jamie Drysdale
Hunter McDonald – Nick Seeler
Joseph Woll
(Dan Vladař)
Washington’s Projected Lines:
Alex Tuch – Dylan Strome – Jordan Kyrou
Aliaksei Protas – Pierre-Luc Dubois – Tom Wilson
Alex Ovechkin – Ilya Protas – Anthony Beauvillier
Boone Jenner – Justin Sourdif – Ryan Leonard
Jakob Chychrun – Matt Roy
Martin Fehervary – Timothy Liljegren
Cole Hutson – Jack St. Ivany
Logan Thompson
(Charlie Lindgren)
FLYERS ALUMNI VEGAS AND IRELAND TRIPS
Flyers Nation and TrueFan Travel have teamed up for two trips with the Flyers Alumni!
The Las Vegas package (March 10–14) includes tickets to Flyers–Golden Knights on March 11 at T-Mobile Arena, an all-inclusive tailgate, optional flights from Philadelphia, a 4-night downtown hotel stay, an alumni pep rally and Q&A, a Flyers vs. Utah watch party, and a meet and greet.
The Ireland Golf & Tour Experience (July 20–27) includes optional flights from Philadelphia, six nights at The Brehon Killarney and Portmarnock Resort, a welcome reception, a meet and greet and Q&A with Brad Marsh, Patrick Sharp, Joe Watson, Bill Clement, Mark Recchi, and John LeClair, a live Coatesy’s Corner, and optional golf at Old Head, Dooks, Portmarnock, and Druids Glen.
Whether you’re chasing a road game in Vegas or a week on the links in Ireland, these are two chances to travel with Flyers legends!
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