Flyers

Flyers vs. Capitals Preview: Chasing Gr-8-ness

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Kevin Durso
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Kevin Durso Sports Editor

I have been writing for Sports Talk Philly since 2011. Currently editor and lead writer of Philadelphia Flyers coverage. Co-host of the YWT Podcast. I also am Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN-FM in South Jersey. I graduated from Cabrini University in 2014.

All posts by Kevin Durso
Sports Editor

Published06 Feb 2025

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Flyers Capitals

Thursday night will mark Alex Ovechkin‘s 77th career game against the Flyers. As the Washington Capitals come to Philadelphia for the final time this season, it may just be the final time Ovechkin plays in Philadelphia as the second-highest goal scorer in NHL history.

Ovechkin is just 17 goals shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky‘s goal record of 894. Ovechkin has scored 50 goals in his career against the Flyers.

Game time is 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Washington Capitals GP G A P
Travis Konecny 55 21 37 58 Dylan Strome 53 15 36 51
Matvei Michkov 53 14 20 34 Aliaksei Protas 53 22 23 45
Owen Tippett 52 14 16 30 Pierre-Luc Dubois 53 12 30 42
Scott Laughton 52 10 15 25 Alex Ovechkin 37 25 14 39
Sean Couturier 52 8 17 25 Tom Wilson 53 22 17 39

Flyers Capitals Players to Watch

Scott Laughton has good career numbers against the Capitals, scoring 13 goals in his career against them. Laughton has gone four straight games without a point after returning to the lineup last Monday with two points against the Devils.

Alex Ovechkin‘s chase for NHL history continues its course through Philadelphia. Ovechkin has scored in three straight games entering Thursday, reach 878 career goals in pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record.

Flyers Capitals Goalie Matchup

Ivan Fedotov gets the start for the Flyers. Fedotov made 25 saves on 28 shots in a loss to the Islanders last Thursday in his last start. Fedotov took the loss against the Capitals on Oct. 23, allowing four goals on 23 shots..

Charlie Lindgren gets the start for the Capitals. Lindgren made 29 saves on 34 shots in an overtime loss against Ottawa last Thursday in his last start. Lindgren has just one win since Dec. 20, a span of eight starts. Lindgren got the win over the Flyers on Oct. 22, makin 17 saves on 18 shots.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Lines

Flyers Scratches: Ryan Poehling (injury), Egor Zamula (injury), Owen Tippett (injury), Rasmus Ristolainen (injury), Andrei Kuzmenko (healthy), Jakob Pelletier (healthy), Aleksei Kolosov (healthy)

Capitals Lines

Capitals Scratches: Sonny Milano (injury), Dylan McIlrath (healthy), Alexander Alexeyev (healthy), Jakub Vrana (healthy)

Lineup Notes

  • Flyers: Andrei Kuzmenko and Jakob Pelletier remain unavailable. Head coach John Tortorella said both players are in Toronto and paperwork is completed, but their flight to Philadelphia was cancelled due to weather. Owen Tippett remains out with injury. Rasmus Ristolainen is a game-time decision.
  • Capitals: No lineup changes are being made by the Capitals.

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (15.4% – 28th), Capitals (22.5% – 13th)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (77.9% – 20th), Capitals (83.5% – 3rd)
  • Recent History vs. Capitals 
    • Oct. 23, 2024 – Capitals 6, Flyers 3 (at WSH)
    • Oct. 22, 2024 – Capitals 4, Flyers 1 (at PHI)
  • Team Leaders vs. Capitals
    • Matvei Michkov – 2 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 3 P
    • Sean Couturier – 47 GP, 13 G, 20 A, 33 P
    • Owen Tippett – 13 GP, 4 G, 4 A, 8 P
    • Ivan Fedotov – 1 GP, 0-1-0, 4.11 GAA, .826 SV%
  • Milestone Watch
    • Sean Couturier needs one goal to reach 200 for his career.

Where to Watch

  • TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
  • Radio: Flyers Broadcast Network