Flyers, Caps set for battle tonight at Verizon Center
There are no division titles or playoff series or trophies on the line. It’s still too early in the NHL season for that.
But it’s also clear that when the Capitals host the Philadelphia Flyers tonight at Verizon Center it isn’t just another regular-season game. There is far too much recent history between the two teams.
The Flyers, of course, ousted the Caps from last year’s Stanley Cup playoffs — the dagger delivered in overtime of Game 7 by Joffrey Lupul. Add in a 7-1 loss Dec. 20 in Philadelphia and Washington has plenty to fuel itself with entering tonight’s rematch.
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“Where it falls is a) we don’t like them. But b) the importance is of continuously getting ahead of them,” said Caps coach Bruce Boudreau. “It’s either 52 [points for Philadelphia] — a three-point lead — or a seven-point lead. We want to be the first-place team [in the Eastern Conference]. So if we want that to happen we have to probably go through the Flyers.”
Washington (26-11-3, 55 points) is off to its best start ever through 40 games and leads the Southeast Division by 10 points. Philadelphia (21-10-8, 50 points) led the Atlantic Division entering play last night.
Not that the Caps have much sympathy given all their injury woes, but health is a concern for the Flyers, according to the Philadelphia Daily News. Goalie Antero Niittymaki (groin) is unlikely to repeat his dazzling 47-save performance on Dec. 20 after being injured Saturday at Los Angeles. Also, forwards Scott Hartnell (broken big toe) and Simon Gagne (shoulder) and defenseman Kimmo Timonen (chipped ankle bone) are all playing through various injuries. But regular season or not, this isn’t a game anyone on either side wants to miss.
“It’s a January game. But it’s also two points and down the road it might be a team that we have to beat in the playoffs,” said Caps forward Donald Brashear. “Better show it now.”
Capitals notes
» All players save defenseman Tom Poti (groin) participated in practice Monday. However, defenseman John Erskine (concussion) and forwards Tomas Fleischmann (pneumonia) and Sergei Fedorov (ankle) remain out.
» Fedorov has missed 25 of 28 games with an ankle injury. He is eligible to come off the Long-Term Injured Reserve list Jan. 9.
» Goaltender Jose Theodore said he will start against the Flyers. He relieved starter Brent Johnson in last month’s 7-1 loss at Philadelphia.
