As the NHL gears up after the Olympic break, Rick Tocchet's Philadelphia Flyers are set to face off against Spencer Carbery's Washington Capitals. The Flyers, holding a 25-20-11 record, travel to DC with a 12-11-4 road record, while the Capitals stand at 29-23-7, boasting a solid 17-10-3 at home.
Tonight's game at Capital One Arena kicks off at 7:00 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on NBCSP.
With 26 games left in their regular season, the Flyers face a challenging path to the playoffs. They're nine points shy of a playoff spot, needing to surpass teams like the New York Islanders, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Capitals for a third-place finish in the Metropolitan Division. Alternatively, they could aim for a wildcard spot, which would require outpacing five teams, including the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Flyers are also eyeing the NHL trade deadline, just 10 days away, with five games left to play before March 6. This matchup against the Capitals is the start of a demanding stretch of three games in less than four nights, including a visit to the New York Rangers and a home game against the Boston Bruins.
Key Storylines to Watch
1. Fresh Start Post-Olympics
With the Olympic break, teams have had time to reset. The Flyers are looking to regain the structure that saw them achieve a 22-12-7 record by January 6.
However, they've struggled since, going 3-8-4. This game offers a chance to reclaim their early-season form.
2. Impact of Returning Olympians
Both teams had three players representing them in the Winter Olympics. For the Flyers, Travis Sanheim and Rasmus Ristolainen had standout performances, earning silver and bronze medals, respectively. Meanwhile, Capitals' Tom Wilson played a key role for Team Canada, with Martin Fehervary reaching the semifinals for Slovakia.
Among those who didn't participate in the Olympics, Travis Konecny leads the Flyers with 54 points, while Alex Ovechkin is close behind for the Capitals with 48 points. Keep an eye on these players as they look to make an impact in tonight's game.
3. Goaltending Battle
Dan Vladar has been solid for the Flyers, with a 17-8-6 record and a .905 save percentage. He was instrumental in their last win over the Capitals. Logan Thompson, returning from injury, has been a reliable presence for Washington, recently securing a win against Nashville.
4. Special Teams Spotlight
Special teams are always a wildcard after a break. Before the Olympics, the Flyers struggled on the power play, ranking 28th, but were strong on the penalty kill, tied for 6th.
The Capitals had similar issues, with their power play at 26th and penalty kill at 20th. Watch for how these units perform after the hiatus.
As the Flyers and Capitals clash, both teams are eager to shake off the rust and make a strong push toward the playoffs. It's a pivotal moment in the season, and tonight's game could set the tone for the stretch run.