Flyers-Capitals: Game 73 Preview

Kevin Durso

April 12 2022

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor

It's down to the final 10 games of the season for the Flyers. Before the season closes, another new face will get a chance to make his mark at the NHL level and get on the radar for next season.

Bobby Brink makes his NHL debut as the Flyers take on the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night.

Game time is 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers	GP	G	A	P	Washington Capitals	GP	G	A	P
Cam Atkinson	72	23	27	50	Alex Ovechkin	70	45	38	83
Travis Konecny	69	13	32	45	Evgeny Kuznetsov	69	23	47	70
Joel Farabee	53	16	17	33	John Carlson	68	14	49	63
James van Riemsdyk	72	18	13	31	Tom Wilson	68	23	27	50
Scott Laughton	57	11	18	29	Conor Sheary	61	16	20	36

Bobby Brink makes his NHL debut fresh off winning a national championship with University of Denver. The NCAA's leading scorer this season will now see if he can make some of that translate to the NHL level.

John Carlson had an excellent week, picking up eight points in the last three games, including three goals. While much of the attention goes to the Capitals forward group, Carlson possesses plenty of high-end skill and scoring ability of his own.

Carter Hart gets the start for the Flyers. Hart makes his first start since last Tuesday. He's currently on a personal four-game losing streak and has allowed 19 goals during that time.

Ilya Samsonov makes the start for Washington. Samsonov picked up the win against the Penguins in his last start, making 29 saves on 32 shots. He has won four of his last five starts. He also has a win and a loss against the Flyers this season, allowing five goals on 55 shots over two starts.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Scratches: Nick Seeler (injury), Keith Yandle (healthy), Zack MacEwen (healthy), Patrick Brown (healthy)

Capitals Scratches: Joe Snively (injury), Carl Hagelin (injury), Connor McMichael (healthy), Axel Jonsson-Fjallby (healthy), Michal Kempny (healthy), Matt Irwin (healthy)

Lineup Notes

Flyers: Joel Farabee comes back into the lineup and Brink enters for his debut. Hayden Hodgson was returned to the Phantoms for Farabee, and Patrick Brown appears to be coming out for Brink.
Capitals: Nicklas Backstrom returns to the lineup after missing one game.

Game Notes

Power Play: Flyers (32nd), Capitals (20th)
Penalty Kill: Flyers (23rd), Capitals (11th)
Recent History vs. Capitals
- Feb. 26, 2022 – Flyers 2, Capitals 1 (at PHI)
- Feb. 17, 2022 – Capitals 5, Flyer 3 (at PHI)
- Nov. 6, 2021 – Flyers 2, Capitals 1 (at WSH)
Flyers Leaders vs. Capitals
- Cam Atkinson – 30 GP, 13 G, 9 A, 22 P
- James van Riemsdyk – 45 GP, 12 G, 16 A, 28 P
- Rasmus Ristolainen – 25 GP, 1 G, 14 A, 15 P
- Carter Hart – 7 GP, 3-3-1, 2.60 GAA, .915 SV%
Milestone Watch
- Cam Atkinson plays in his 700th NHL game tonight.
- Kevin Hayes needs two points to reach 100 as a Flyer.