Connect with us

Capitals Game Day

Capitals vs. Flyers: Tale Of The Tape, Lines & Who To Watch

Published

on

Washington Capitals

WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals have a big opportunity to get out of the losing column on Wednesday as they take on another struggling and shorthanded team in the Philadelphia Flyers.

Here’s everything to know going into Wednesday’s matchup.

Washington Capitals vs. Philadelphia Flyers: Tale Of The Tape

Washington (7-10-3) is by no means off to an ideal start. The club sits second-to-last in the Metropolitan Division and has lost nine of its last 11 games, including four straight. However, Philly is no better; the Flyers are 7-8-4 with just one more point than the Capitals, and they have dropped eight of their last 10, including seven straight under new head coach John Tortorella.

Both teams are also without key names. Nicklas Backstrom, Connor Brown and Dmitry Orlov are just some of the top names currently out of the picture for D.C., and Philadelphia is missing the services of Scott Laughton and top scorer Travis Konecny. Washington may be getting one of their top injured names back, though, as T.J. Oshie nears a return from injury and could very well suit up against the Flyers.

There’s quite a bit on the line for both clubs as the Metro race remains close and a playoff spot stays within reach with the Thanksgiving mark less than 24 hours away.

Washington Capitals vs. Philadelphia Flyers: Projected Lines

Oshie remains a game-time decision, but he took part in rushes at morning skate. Dmitry Orlov skated, but did not participate in rushes and will likely miss his eighth straight game. Here are what the lines looked like on Wednesday morning, per The Washington Post’s Samantha Pell:

Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Conor Sheary

Sonny Milano-Evgeny Kuznetsov-T.J. Oshie

Marcus Johansson-Lars Eller-Anthony Mantha

Aliaksei Protas-Nic Dowd-Garnet Hathaway

Erik Gustafsson-John Carlson

Martin Fehervary-Nick Jensen

Matt Irwin-Trevor van Riemsdyk

Darcy Kuemper will get the start against the Flyers. Nicolas Aube-Kubel looks like the odd man out if Oshie dresses, along with Joe Snively. Connor McMichael was sent down to Hershey on Sunday.

Washington Capitals vs. Philadelphia Flyers: Names To Watch

When it comes to names to watch, look for several Capitals to try and bounce back after getting shutout on Saturday. Alex Ovechkin is hungry to get back on the scoresheet and continue his journey to 800, while Dylan Strome, who has points in two of his last three games, and Anthony Mantha, who has points in three of his last five games, will want to get going again as well. Another fun name to watch: Garnet Hathaway, who welcomed his second child back on Sunday.

On the Flyers side, keep an eye on Kevin Hayes, who is filling Konecny’s void and is on a six-game point streak while picking up 19 points in 19 games so far. Joel Farabee also has points in three of his last four games, and Owen Tippett, who was acquired in the Claude Giroux deal last season, has points in four of his last five games. In that span, he has five points.

Washington Capitals vs. Philadelphia Flyers: How To Watch

The game will be broadcast nationally on TNT, with the puck dropping at 7:30 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena. Fans can also tune in on the radio at Caps Radio 24/7 (Joe Beninati will be on the call while John Walton recovers from COVID-19).