10 Goals in the Last 5 Periods
The Caps welcome the Broad Street Bullies to the Verizon Center this afternoon for what will be their 48th regular season contest of the 2009-2010 NHL regular season.
Although we are slightly beyond the half-way point of the season, it certainly feels like quite a long time since we have seen a game between the Capitals and Flyers where both squads have had nearly entirely healthy rosters. For this afternoon’s match, the Caps will be missing the services of Semyon Varlamov, but that’s it. Neither the Caps or Flyers currently have any other major injuries and that means that we just might get to see a true showdown.
As the Capitals have cruised to 1st in the Southeast with, compiling an incredible 15 point lead over the 2nd place Thrashers, the Flyers have had a much tougher time at staying on their feet. Philly is currently last place in the Atlantic Division and are sitting just outside of the playoffs. Following their brilliant start, the Flyers took an equally dramatic plunge back into the basement of the Eastern Conference, but since the coaching switch from John Stevens to Peter Laviolette-and a rocky transition period- Philly seems to have gotten things back on track and have recently been putting the screws to most of their opponents. The Flyers are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and are starting to once again take on the appearance of the dangerous playoff contender that many people thought they would be. Despite their drop in the standings, there is plenty of time left for Philly to surge back into contention and it seems that that is exactly what they are planning on doing. In order to help out the rest of the Eastern Conference, the Capitals are going to need to lay another beatdown on the Flyers as they did when they beat them 8-2 on December 5th.
The Flyers and Capitals both had Saturday off so expect some fresh legs on the ice this afternoon. There is no secret as to the bad blood that has developed between these two teams over the last couple of seasons, so don’t expect that to change anytime soon.
The Ovechkin vs Richards duel will continue and expect the Team Canada forward to make sure he gets his practice in as it is very likely that Mike will be shadowing Alex in Vancouver in a few weeks time. Other matchups are the always interesting OV vs Pronger, Semin vs Carter as well as the Green vs Pronger showdown. There are always many storylines to Capitals and Flyers tilts, but I believe the most over-looked Flyer killer on the Capitals roster is the soon to be signed for a gazillion years, Nicklas Backstrom.
Backstrom has been phenomenal against Philly thus far this season, compiling 2 goals and 10 assists in 3 games versus the Flyers this year. That’s ridiculous.
Watchout for Nicky to keep tearing up the Flyers this afternoon…that’s all I’m sayin’.
In other news, expect Jose to get the call in nets again this afternoon. Theo was stellar against the Leafs on Friday and will look to build his confidence with another win this afternoon.
The question of who will be in nets in Philly is another story. Mike Leighton has picked up his game to an elite level since being grabbed off waivers by Philly for the umpteenth time, but with Ray Emery now back in the mix, the question is how long does Philadelphia wait before getting Emery back in nets against a tough opponent?
I would expect the Flyers to ice Leighton this afternoon as they may be wary of a dangerous Capitals offense over-working Emery and possibly putting him back in a situation where he could re-injure himself. But, if questions of his health are no more, then I would expect Philly to turn back to their no.1 as they seek to get back into the playoff mix.
That’s it, enjoy the game this afternoon, don’t forget that puck drop is at 3pm!
Game Notes
Different type of streak – The Capitals have scored two goals in each of their last five periods. Washington scored two goals against Florida in the second period and two goals in the third to force overtime before getting the win in the shootout. The Capitals then came home Friday night and scored two goals in the first, second and third to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs, 6-1. Washington leads the NHL with 3.68 goals per game and lead the NHL with 173 goals, the next closest team is Chicago with 3.27 goals per game with 157 goals.
Metro Note: Fans who use the Red Line to travel to the Caps game on Sunday may experience delays, as Metro has scheduled to close the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metrorail station for maintenance. For more information visit www.wmata.com.
Six shooters –Washington has scored at least six goals in a game eight times this year, including Friday vs. Toronto, after doing so five times all of last season. The Capitals have scored at least six goals twice in the last four games and did so in their last meeting against Philadelphia (8-2, Dec. 5).
Ovi elevates –Alex Ovechkin had his fourth career five-point game Friday night to give him 62 points on the season, within two of the NHL lead (entering Saturday’s games). Three of Ovechkin’s five-point games have come against Canadian teams (Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Boston). Ovechkin has 32 points (12g-20a) in 18 games since returning from suspension and has a five-game point streak (3g-9a, +8 in that time). Ovechkin leads the league in goals per game, points per game and shots and leads all forwards at +26.
Double trouble –The Capitals (33 multiple-goal games) and Flyers (23) are the only teams in the NHL whose players have combined for more than 18 multiple-goal games (entering Saturday’s games). In fact, Capitals players have scored two goals in a period 15 times; 23 teams have fewer multiple-goal games than that.
Despite their success with multiple-goal games the Capitals do not have a hat trick this season.
30-15 club –Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin are two of four players in the league with 15-plus goals and 30-plus assists (entering Saturday’s games). Henrik Sedin and Patrick Kane are the others.
Positive thinking –Defenseman Jeff Schultz leads the NHL with a +27 rating, including a +12 mark in the last six games. Schultz was +25 the past two seasons combined. He also has assists in three of the last five games (4a in that time) and leads the team with 66 blocked shots.
The Capitals boast four of the top nine NHLers in plus/minus, with Alex Ovechkin (2nd, +26), Mike Green (tied for 4th, +20) and Nicklas Backstrom (tied for 7th, +19) entering Saturday’s games.
Goal oriented –Washington has scored 31 goals in its last six games (5.17 per game, not counting a shootout goal), including tying a season high with eight goals last Saturday night. Eleven players have scored goals in the last six games. The Capitals’ league-leading 3.68 goals per game are 0.41 more than the next-closest team (Chicago, 3.27). Washington has never led the league in scoring for a season (best was second in 1991-92).
Lineups
Washington Capitals
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble
Semin-Fleischmann-Laich
Chimera-Morrison-Fehr
Gordon-Steckel-Bradley
Green-Schultz
Poti-Sloan
Morrisonn-Carlson
*Theodore
Neuvirth
- Theo had a great game against the Leafs and has not lost to the Flyers in regulation yet this year, boasting a .937 Sv % in 3 games versus Philly.
- It would appear that Quintin Laing and Brian Pothier will once again be the odd men out as it is unlikely Boudreau will tinker with his winning formula. For now, anyways.
Philadelphia Flyers
Hartnell - Carter - Briere
Gagne - Richards - Giroux
JVR - Powe - Asham
Carcillo - Betts - Laperriere
Carle - Pronger
Tollefsen - Timonen
Coburn - Bartulis
Leighton/Emery
- This is Philly’s lineup, as provided by our invaluable Flyers beat man,
Bill Meltzer.
- It sounds like Leighton may continue in nets for the Flyers, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ray Emery take on the Caps, although that could be a dangerous thing for a goalie returning from injury.
-
Update; as per Hockeybuzz's very own
Tim Panaccio,
Ray Emery will be starting this afternoon vs. the Caps.
- The Flyers will be regaining the services of Scott Hartnell and Darrol Powe for this afternoon’s game, so the Caps should be dealing with a full, healthy Philly team today. Been quite awhile since both of these teams faced each other with nearly complete and healthy rosters.
Enjoy the Game, and remember,
PUCK DROP IS @ 3PM!
www.twitter.com/StevenHindle
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Go Caps!!!!!
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