Gameday Preview – 1/8/2019 – Philadelphia Flyers v. Washington Capitals

Philadelphia Flyers (15-21-6 36pts) v. Washington Capitals (25-12-4 54pts)

Time: 730p EST

Station: NBC Sports Washington and NBC Sports Network

Preview:

The Washington Capitals are home for the first time in 2019 as they host their long time rival the Philadelphia Flyers. Last night the Flyers were shutout at home by the St. Louis Blues, while the Capitals ended their 3 game losing streak the other night as they defeated the Detroit Red Wings on the road.

CAPS TODAY: Michal Kempny's three game-winning goals this season are tied for first in the NHL among defensemen. More info on him and the Caps at https://t.co/HecIC0ECg1 pic.twitter.com/u7CUKZDfqE

— Capitals PR (@CapitalsPR) January 8, 2019

Philadelphia Flyers:

Projected Lineup:

Claude Giroux — Sean Couturier — Travis Konecny

Oskar Lindblom — Nolan Patrick — Jakub Voracek

James van Riemsdyk — Jordan Weal — Wayne Simmonds

Michael Raffl — Scott Laughton — Dale Weise

Ivan Provorov — Travis Sanheim

Robert Hagg — Christian Folin

Shayne Gostisbehere — Radko Gudas

Mike McKenna

Carter Hart

Scratched: Jori Lehtera, Phil Varone

Injured: Corban Knight (collarbone), Brian Elliott (lower body), Anthony Stolarz (lower body), Andrew MacDonald (lower body), Michal Neuvirth (lower body)

Keys to the Game:

1. Consistency all game long

The Flyers have a well built team, but are not a consistent team on the ice. If the Flyers can play a strong, consistent game for a full 60 minutes then they have a good chance of winning this game.

Washington Capitals:

Projected Lineup:

Caps in morning skate:

Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Vrana-Eller-Oshie
Burakovsky-Boyd-Connolly
Stephenson-Dowd-DSP

Kempny-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Siegenthaler

Backstrom is not on the ice because of illness and is a “game-time decision” for tonight.

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 8, 2019

Copley starting tonight.

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 8, 2019

Keys to the Game:

1. Continue the heavy pressure

The one key thing the Capitals have to do it continue playing wih heavy pressure in the offensive zone. When they are doing that, the Capitals are burden to play against.

2. Mix up the Powerplay

The powerplay is not working and it needs to be changed up a bit. Mix some of the players around and put in a different look for the powerplay.