Caps vs. Flyers 1-13-2008 Preview

Washington Capitals (18-25; 41 points; 4th Southeast Division, 13th Eastern Conference, 27th Overall) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (22-20; 49 points; 3rd Atlantic Division, 6th Eastern Conference, 12th Overall):
Caps Game #44, Home Game #21, NHL Game #666

Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. 1:37 pm. Washington TV: Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic. Radio: WWWT 1500-AM, 107.7-FM. Philadelphia TV: Comcast Sportsnet Philadelphia. Radio: WWIP 610-AM. Canadian National TV: NHL Network. NHL Center Ice: Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic feed.

The Caps mid-season break ends and five game homestand resumes with a matinee matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers today. This is the third of four meetings between the two teams and the last visit to D.C. this season for the Flyers. The visiting team has come away the winner in the two previous matches this season. The Flyers are coming off a 4-3 loss in overtime yesterday at home to Boston that snapped a three game winning streak and though the Flyers have won six of their last eight games.

What The Natives Are Saying:

(Com)Post. Times. Caps.com.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire.

Open Source Intelligence:

Philadelphia Inquirer: fall in OT, mid-way point.

What Do I Expect Today?:

Despite having three days off, there should be some jump in the Caps skates today because of A.O.'s contract extension and should Captain Chris Clark return, that could provide a little extra boost as well. The Flyers are playing their third game in four days, sixth game in ten days, and with the Flyers' hard hitting affair yesterday against Boston; the Caps will clearly be the fresher team today. The key for the Caps is to stay out of the penalty box (which means no stupid retaliation penalties, John "Coaches' Pet" Erskine Bowles) as the Flyers have the 2nd best Power Play unit in the league. That's easier said than done as the Flyers like to stir things up to get opponents off their game and it has worked against the Caps earlier this season. How much the Flyers will have in the tank though will be the deciding factor today.

Caps Nut Official Prediction:

Caps 4
Flyers 2
Winner by Kozlov

(27-16 on the season)