The Philadelphia Flyers (29-23-11) host the Washington Capitals (32-26-7) on Wednesday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena in South Philadelphia.
It is a big game for both squads, as the Capitals (71) sit directly ahead of the Flyers (69) by 2 points in both the Wild Card and Metropolitan standings. A win for Philly closes the gap, for now, while a loss will create an even bigger gap.
The Flyers enter Monday’s game after a woeful loss to the New York Rangers on Monday, dropping that one 6-2. Philly is 3-2-0 over the past five games, with two of the wins coming in the shootout and both losses coming on home ice in a dominating fashion.
The Capitals have played six games since the Olympic break, going 3-3-0. After winning their first two games post-break, the Caps lost three straight before getting back on track vs. the Flames on Monday.
Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. EST at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Here is how the Flyers are expected to line up.
Read More: Flyers Dominated in 6-2 Loss vs. Rangers on Monday Night
Flyers lines & pairs vs. Rangers
Forwards
Carl Grundstrom–Trevor Zegras–Owen Tippett
Alex Bump–Christian Dvorak–Travis Konecny
Denver Barkey–Noah Cates–Matvei Michkov
Nikita Grebenkin–Sean Couturier–Garnet Hathaway
Defensemen
Travis Sanheim–Rasmus Ristolainen
Cam York–Jamie Drysdale
Nick Seeler–Noah Juulsen
Goaltenders
Sam Ersson
Dan Vladar
Special Teams
PP1:Â Drysadale, Zegras, Konecny, Michkov, Tippett
PP2:Â York, Dvorak, Cates, Barkey, Bump
PK1:Â Couturier, Cates, York, Sanheim
PK 2: Dvorak, Tippett, Juulsen, Ristolainen
Game Notes
The projected lines and pairs are based on Wednesday’s morning skate in Philadelphia. Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed that Sam Ersson will be the starter. He also mentioned that nothing changes as fair as the defensive pairs. He did mention that some of the forwards are still a little banged up, so it’s a game-time decision there.
However, I would not expect any changes to the lineup. If there were any, I’d look out for a swap of Garnet Hathaway and Luke Glendening.
Sam Ersson appeared in just his second game over the last seven on Monday when he entered in the third period in relief for Dan Vladar. He’s played just four periods over the team’s last seven games. He gets the start on Wednesday.
Wednesday’s matchup between the Flyers and Capitals could be the last time that Alex Ovechkin takes the ice in Philadelphia. The NHL’s all-time leader in goal-scoring is on an expiring contract, and his future beyond this season is up in the air. The great 8 has 51 goals and 32 assists in 80 career games vs. the Flyers.
How to Watch Flyers vs. Capitals
TV: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max (Stream)
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. EST at Xfinity Mobile Arena.