The Washington Capitals can inch closer to a playoff spot when they host the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday.
The Capitals enter the matchup six points behind the Flyers, who are third in the Metropolitan Division, with two games in hand. As of Thursday, only one team (New Jersey Devils) stood between Washington and Philadelphia in the division standings. That could become three, with the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders, both a point behind the Capitals, each in action Thursday.
“We’re right there and I think we’ve done a decent job the last 10 games of battling back and putting ourselves at least within striking distance,” Capitals forward Dylan Strome said. “… We’ve got to take care of business tomorrow and then we’ve got a couple of games before the (NHL trade) deadline. If we go 3-0 in these next three games, it’s going to make the decisions a little tougher. That’s ultimately what we want as a team.”
Washington is 4-1-1 in its past six games and 5-3-2 in its past 10 after dropping an 8-3 decision to the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday.
Part of the team’s success of late has been aided by contributions from youngsters on the roster, including 23-year-olds Aliaksei Protas and Connor McMichael. Protas has seven points (two goals, five assists) in his past six games while McMichael has six points (four goals, two assists).
“It’s really important for the future of the organization but also for the right now of we need anyone,” coach Spencer Carbery said. “… Whatever your circumstances are individually, to provide us with quality minutes in every situation. So for those guys to be thriving and doing a real good job is not only good for our team in the current because it’s led to some positive results of late, but also for their future and their individual development, so it’s been great to see.”
The Flyers, meanwhile, look to build off a 6-2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tied 1-1 after two periods, Philadelphia scored three times in the first seven minutes of the third period to take a 4-1 lead. Shortly after Tampa pulled within two, the Flyers added a pair of empty-net goals to pull out the win.
“I think the first two periods weren’t our best, but we were still hanging in there,” Flyers forward Morgan Frost said. “I don’t think we were bad per se, just weren’t really creating too much and getting in on the forecheck. But in general, playing like that in the third against a team like that, it gives us a good feeling.”
Forward Tyson Foerster has been on a roll of late with eight points (seven goals, one assist) in his past seven games. The rookie ranks fourth among NHL freshmen with 14 goals.
“He’s playing with more confidence,” coach John Tortorella said. “Those guys, when they start scoring some goals, puck tends to follow them around and they feel more comfortable with it, for sure. The thing for me is he doesn’t forget the other part. … He’s just a smart player, but I think he’s gaining some confidence as far as the offensive part of it.”
The Flyers are 6-3-1 in their past 10 but haven’t won consecutive games since a four-game winning streak from Feb. 6-12. They are 16-9-5 on the road this season.
–Field Level Media