Photo: Washington Capitals
The Capitals landed in Philly yesterday and hit the ice at Wells Fargo Center this morning in preparation for their big game with the Flyers. Puck drop is at 8:00 p.m. and will be televised on NBC Sports Network as part of their “Wednesday Night Rivalry” showcase.
The rivalry continues…tonight.#RivalryNight pic.twitter.com/BXk2bazI7P
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) December 21, 2016
Both of these teams have had plenty of bad blood over the years. Last season, the teams met in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Capitals took the first two games in DC before the series shifted to Philadelphia. In Game 3, there was plenty of unsportsman-like display from the stands in a game in which the Capitals won decisively 6-1. Here’s a reminder of what happened from the stands from our good friend Michael Jenkins:
The Capitals dropped their next two games before closing it out in Game 6. Tonight will be the first meeting between these two teams since that playoff series.
SCOUTING THE FLYERS
Like the Capitals, the Flyers had a winning streak snapped on Saturday night. Philadelphia’s was a 10-game win streak that came to an end in Dallas. They also dropped their game on Monday night to the Predators 2-1 in a shootout. You’d think with a recent streak of 10-games they’d be at the top of the division but they aren’t. The Flyers currently sit in fourth place in the Metropolitan Division just one point ahead of the Caps. Check out our game preview here.
PRACTICE LINES
Andre Burakovsky returns to the lineup tonight. After scoring his only two goals this season on opening night, he looks to turn his game around after having a seat in the press box for the last three games. You will see him on the third line tonight on the right wing, paired with Lars Eller and Jakub Vrana. Braden Holtby will get the start in goal.
Lines:
8-92-14
90-19-77
13-20-65
26-83-43
27-74
9-2
44-88And yes, looks as if Burakovsky is now on right side.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) December 21, 2016
INTERVIEWS
John Carlson:
After being away from the ice with an illness, John Carlson is good to go tonight and talks with Mike Vogel about #CapsFlyers. #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/LOOU4fJWUL
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 21, 2016
Andre Burakovsky:
Andre Burakovsky is back in the lineup tonight and talks with the media about how he plans to stay there. #CapsFlyers #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/0EzoMskERQ
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 21, 2016
Barry Trotz:
#Caps head coach Barry Trotz talks to the media before #CapsFlyers Rivalry Night. Talks Burakovsky, Backstrom and Ovechkin. #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/IXdeBqSbTk
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 21, 2016
Lars Eller spoke with Mike Vogel for today’s Rinkside Update:
#Caps forward Lars Eller talks one-on-one with @VogsCaps about Burakovsky returning to his line, his play of late and #CapsFlyers Rivalry. pic.twitter.com/8PbfSZZKZK
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 21, 2016
Vogel and John Walton take it away with the Two-Man Advantage:
.@VogsCaps and @WaltonCaps with the Two-Man Advantage previewing tonight’s #RivalryNight Game against the Flyers. #CapsFlyers #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/pw3bFyTtFx
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 21, 2016
SHAVINGS
- The Capitals have scored a power play goal in each of their last five games.
- Nicklas Backstrom has earned six points in his last six games and 18 points in his last 16 games.
- Backstrom has registered 44 points (14 goals, 30 assists) in 34 career games against the Flyers.
GAMEDAY LINKS
Caps Face Flyers in Philly (Mike Vogel)
Coach Barry Trotz: When the Capitals and Flyers meet, ‘it’s been intense’ (Isabelle Khurshudyan/Washington Post)
Women’s hockey player from United Arab Emirates moved to tears by Capitals’ surprise (Scott Allen/DC Sports Bog)
By Michael Marzzacco
