Flyers vs. Capitals
8 p.m. on NBCSN (Pregame Live at 7 on CSN)
What an opportunity for the Flyers.
With every wild-card contender idle, the Flyers (37-25-13) can take a quantum leap in the standings Wednesday night. But they'll have to do it against the Presidents' Trophy-winning Capitals (54-16-5), who visit the Wells Fargo Center.
Let's get you ready for the matchup with five things you need to know.
1. Wild-card latest
While the players have admitted to scoreboard-watching this time of year, Dave Hakstol said focusing on opponents is not part of his routine.
“I’m not too worried about the Caps,” Hakstol said after Tuesday's optional practice (see story). “They’ve had a tremendous season.
“We always have a pretty introspective look here. We’re worried about ourselves and taking care of ourselves and getting ready and prepared, and we’ll do that.”
NHL
That doesn't mean we can't break down the playoff race's latest.
There's suddenly a new team to keep an eye on: the Bruins. Boston has lost six of its last seven games, allowing Detroit to climb within one point of it for third in the Atlantic Division. That means the Flyers could be jostling with the Bruins, as well, for the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot.
The Flyers, of course, control their own destiny. They also control some tiebreakers. Compared to both teams, the Flyers own one fewer regulation/overtime win, but have two games in hand (total remaining) and have clinched both regular-season series in points.
The Flyers enter tonight tied with the Red Wings in points but hold the second wild-card bid because of less games played. They're also four points out of the first, held by the Islanders.
2. Welcome back, Razor
Ray Emery is back in the house.
The Flyers on Tuesday night brought back the 33-year-old netminder on a tryout basis. What does it mean? Flyers general manager Ron Hextall said it's simply goalie insurance.
"This just gives us a guy in-house that can be on ice, can practice and be sharp if need be," Hextall said Tuesday via conference call (see story).
If you thought this pushed 22-year-old Anthony Stolarz out of the picture, think again.
"In terms of Mase and Stolie, this really doesn’t change anything," Hextall said (see story). "It just adds a layer of depth for us.”
In fact ...
"I certainly speak for myself that if we got in the position where we needed a game from Stolie," Hextall said, "I’d certainly be comfortable with it."
Nonetheless, expect Mason to drive this playoff push home.
3. Nation's leader
The Capitals are imposing across the board.
They give up the NHL's fewest goals per game (2.32) and score the second most (3.09), while their power play is No. 2 (22.7 percentage) and penalty kill fourth-best (84.7).
With one of the NHL's top goalies in Braden Holtby and the league's leading goal-scorer in Alex Ovechkin, it's no surprise Washington won the Presidents' Trophy (NHL's best record, home-ice advantage in playoffs).
"If you make mistakes against that team, they put it in the back of the net," Hakstol said after a 5-2 loss to the Capitals on Nov. 12.
And Washington won't put it on cruise control into the playoffs. Given the Capitals' postseason failures in the Ovechkin era, they're determined for much more than regular-season accomplishments.
To boot, one more win sets a new franchise record.
4. Keep an eye on ...
Flyers: We're still waiting for that big game from Jakub Voracek since his return from a lower-body injury. He has no goals and two assists in six games after missing the previous nine. He may still be shaking some rust as he admitted on March 19 that he was unsure when he'd be back to his complete self. "No idea," he said. "Hopefully it’s going to be as soon as possible."
Capitals: Washington is more than just Ovechkin, and T.J. Oshie has proven that of late. The center has seven goals and 11 points in his last 12 games and already has a career-high 24 markers. And get this, the Capitals are 17-2-2 when he scores a goal.
5. This and that
• The Flyers are 1-2-0 against the Capitals this season, but 4-1-0 in their last five home games against Washington.
• Claude Giroux is one point shy of passing Reggie Leach (both have 514) for 12th on the Flyers' all-time list.
• The Capitals have the fewest road losses (12) in the NHL.
• Steve Mason is playing in his 400th career NHL game. He's 7-5-2 lifetime against Washington with a 2.85 goals-against average and .904 save percentage.
• Capitals goalie Holtby, who is 46-9-4 this season with a 2.19 goals-against average, is 6-4-5 against the Flyers in his career with a 2.89 goals-against average and .902 save percentage.