Ilya Samsonov Gets The Start, Lines For Flyers: News From Capitals Morning Skate In Philadelphia

The Capitals returned to Philadelphia yesterday afternoon in advance of their two-game set with the Flyers. Puck drop for game one tonight is set for just after 7:00 pm. Here’s the latest news from morning skate at Wells Fargo Center in South Philly:

The Washington Capitals face the Philadelphia Flyers tonight for the third time this season (1-1-0). The Capitals have won four of their last five road games against Philadelphia (4-1-0), dating back to March 6, 2019.

Alex Ovechkin (3g, 2a) leads the Capitals in goals and points against the Flyers, while Nicklas Backstrom (1g, 3a) has recorded four points.

MORNING SKATE

Lines

Capitals lines at AM skate here in Philly:

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Oshie
Vrana-Kuznetsov-Sprong
Sheary-Eller-Panik
Hagelin-Dowd-Hathaway

Dillon-Carlson
Orlov-Schultz
Chara-Jensen

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) March 11, 2021

Ilya Samsonov will start in goal for the Capitals tonight.

Laviolette: Ilya Samsonov will start tonight. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/I5K8FFO4fk

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) March 11, 2021

UPDATE: 6:00 PM.

No Lars Eller tonight. He has returned to Washington for a family matter.

STATS

Netminders – East Division – Even Strength (5v5)
Data via Nat Stat Trick (Click to enlarge)

Possession/Shot Stats – East Division – Even Strength (5v5)
Data via Nat Stat Trick (Click to enlarge)

MEDIA AVAILABILITY

Peter Laviolette

John Carlson

Ilya Samsonov
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JOHN CARLSON

Capitals defenseman John Carlson is entering tonight’s game one point shy of 500 career points. Carlson, who is scheduled to play in his 783^rd game tonight, is aiming to become the third-fastest active defenseman to reach the mark (Erik Karlsson: 613 games; Kris Letang: 753 games). Carlson currently ranks tied for seventh among defensemen in assists (16) and sixth in points (21).
Carlson leads all defensemen with 30 multi-point games dating back to the start of 2019-20 season, 11 ahead of the next closest defensemen (Roman Josi and Victor Hedman), and he is tied with Jonathan Huberdeau for ninth among all players. In addition, Carlson is four assists shy of passing Mike Gartner (392a) for the fourth-most assists in franchise history and four goals shy of passing both Mike Green (113) and Calle Johansson (113) for the third-most goals in franchise history by a defenseman.

By Jon Sorensen