A Lot to Contend With Tonight, But So What.

The Capitals have arrived at Wells Fargo Center, set to do battle with the Flyers in game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Ahead of them tonight? An emotional home crowd, a desperate opponent, and past history.

The Capitals have never won a game 3 of a playoff series after leading 2-0 in the history of the franchise. But that’s history, and will have very little to do with the outcome of tonight’s contest. No, the real battles are much more tangible. Caps head trainer Greg Smith posted this video about an hour ago with the quote “The calm before the storm. Not a kind of storm you run from but the kind you chase“. Well said Smitty!

The calm before the storm. Not a kind of storm you run from but the kind you chase #caps #nhlplayoffs pic.twitter.com/WYXEBNqpzp

— Greg Smith (@Smittycaps) April 18, 2016

Prior to the game, the Flyers organization will be paying tribute to their owner, Edward Malcolm Snider, who passed away last week. This is the first time the Flyers have taken to the ice in South Philly since his passing, and is guaranteed to generate aplenty of emotion for all. The Flyers will be donning jersey patches in his remembrance, and have inscribed the ice behind each goal with the late owners initials.

Behind each net in honor of Edward Malcolm Snider. #CapitalsTalk #FlyersTalk pic.twitter.com/9iY9HSuAHq

— Chuck Gormley (@ChuckGormleyCSN) April 18, 2016

This is what fans will see when they arrive at Wells Fargo tonight. Flashing wrist bands. #CapitalsTalk #FlyersTalk pic.twitter.com/fQ0FsaUMy9

— Chuck Gormley (@ChuckGormleyCSN) April 18, 2016

Shirts being distributed to fans tonight for Game 3. #CapitalsTalk #FlyersTalk pic.twitter.com/C1SI5mDV6T

— Chuck Gormley (@ChuckGormleyCSN) April 18, 2016

In addition to the emotional pre-game, the Caps will be facing a Flyers team that is obviously desperate, and will come out with “all guns a blazing”, as they say. A lot for a visiting team to contend with.

But so what!
The Capitals have proven to be road-warriors all season, with a road record of 29-8-4. The team has embraced hostile environments, and using the situation to motivate the team.

Ovechkin on dealing with a hostile road crowd: “Well it’s not my first year in NHL, so it’s kind of easy”

— Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) April 18, 2016

Make no mistake, the first ten minutes of the game will be critical. If the Caps can keep an even keel, and possibly maintain zeros on the scoreboard, then the Caps will be in pretty good shape tonight, and this series could be all but over.