Flyers-Capitals: Game 54 Preview

Kevin Durso

May 7 2021

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor

For most of the week, the hockey world has been completely focused on the Washington Capitals. The Flyers make the trip to DC for a weekend back-to-back with three games remaining on their schedule.

The Capitals have a lot to play for, looking to claim an edge in the East Division race. Just like earlier this week against Pittsburgh, the Flyers look to play spoiler, starting with Friday night's opener.

Game time is at 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers	GP	G	A	P	Washington Capitals	GP	G	A	P
Jake Voracek	50	9	34	43	Nicklas Backstrom	53	15	38	53
Claude Giroux	51	16	25	41	John Carlson	51	10	34	44
James van Riemsdyk	53	16	23	39	Alex Ovechkin	44	24	18	42
Sean Couturier	42	16	22	38	T.J. Oshie	51	21	21	42
Joel Farabee	52	17	18	35	Tom Wilson	44	13	20	33

Wade Allison continues to be a focal point of the lineup in these closing games. As a relative newcomer, his performance is strictly to see what you have toward next season's team, and the winger has shown flashes of offensive ability.

Missing a few pieces from the lineup, Nicklas Backstrom is putting the finishing touches on a solid season overall, posting a point per game this season. Backstrom has five points in his last five games, including a three-assist game against Pittsburgh.

Brian Elliott gets another start for the Flyers. It's been a struggle down the stretch for Elliott as he carries the bulk of the starts. He looks to finish the season on a high note, starting with Friday's outing.

Vitek Vanecek is getting a good bulk of the starts with Ilya Samsonov out of the lineup on COVID protocol. Vanecek has had some up-and-down results lately, but has solid overall numbers this season.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Scratches: Shayne Gostisbehere (suspension), Robert Hagg (healthy), Jackson Cates (healthy)

Capitals Scratches: Alex Ovechkin (injury), Justin Schultz (injury), Evgeny Kuznetsov (COVID protocol), Ilya Samsonov (COVID protocol)

Lineup Notes

Flyers: Cam York makes his NHL debut. He will play alongside Justin Braun. Sam Morin is also returning to the lineup. No changes are being made at forward.
Capitals: There are plenty of notable absences for the Capitals. In addition to Alex Ovechkin's injury, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Samsonov are on the COVID list.

Game Notes

Power Play: Flyers (19th), Capitals (3rd)
Penalty Kill: Flyers (30th), Capitals (7th)
Recent History vs. Capitals
- Feb. 7, 2021 – Flyers 7, Capitals 4 (at WSH)
- March 7, 2021 – Capitals 3, Flyers 1 (at PHI)
- March 11, 2021 – Capitals 5, Flyers 3 (at PHI)
- March 13, 2021 – Capitals 5, Flyers 4 (at PHI)
- April 13, 2021 – Capitals 6, Flyers 1 (at WSH)
- April 17, 2021 – Capitals 6, Flyers 3 (at PHI)
Flyers Leaders vs. Capitals
- Claude Giroux – 51 GP, 23 G, 25 A, 48 P
- Jake Voracek – 45 GP, 15 G, 22 A, 37 P
- Sean Couturier – 39 GP, 11 G, 19 A, 30 P
- Brian Elliott – 22 GP, 10-9-0, 3.38 GAA, .883 SV%
Milestone Watch
- Claude Giroux needs two power-play goals to pass Eric Lindros for 8th all-time in Flyers history.
- Kevin Hayes needs two points to reach 300 for his career.