Game 6 Caps @ Flyers 4-21-2008 Preview

Series C: Washington Capitals (45-43; 94 points; 1st Southeast Division, 3rd Eastern Conference, 12th Overall) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (44-44; 95 points; 4th Atlantic Division, 6th Eastern Conference, 11th Overall):
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Game #6, Caps Game #6, Road Game #3, NHL Game #136

Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA, 7:08 pm. Washington TV: Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic. Radio: WJFK 106.7-FM. Philadelphia TV: Comcast Sportsnet Philadelphia. Radio: WWIP 610-AM. Canadian National TV: TSN. NHL Center Ice: Comcast Sportsnet Philadelphia feed.

Tonight the Caps face another MUST win game to keep their season alive. This time it is on the road in Philadelphia where they were swept in two games last week.

What The Natives Are Saying:

(Com)Post. Times. Caps.com.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire. NHL.com Series Page. TSN.ca Series Page. ESPN NHL Playoffs page.

Open Source Intelligence:

Philadelphia Daily News. Philadelphia Inquirer: mental games, fast healing.

What Do I Expect Tonight?:

Win or lose, after tonight's game the Caps will come home from Philadelphia and they'll sleep in their own beds tonight. The Flyers however will come to the arena with their bags packed for a road trip. They too want to go to their homes after tonight's game and sleep in their own beds. The Flyers do want to take their bags, get on the train, head to D.C., and sleep in a hotel room tonight. That's why the Flyers are treating tonight's Game 6 like it is Game 7. We happened to think this is a mistake because should the Flyers lose Game 6; they'll be mentally checked out of the actual Game 7, especially since a Game 7 would take place tomorrow night. So far in this series, the team to score the first goal has won the game. So the big key for tonight is scoring the first goal, if the Caps want to force a Game 7 tomorrow night, they MUST score the first goal. The Caps have some momentum on their side and are gaining confidence. The Flyers have to figure out what they are going to do without Mike Knuble and this could be the difference maker in the series because if John Stevens' adjustments don't work out tonight; the Flyers will be in dire straights. The Caps would also be well served to stay out of the penalty box. While they did a better job of that in Game 5, it was the Flyers Power Play that got them going in the second period on Saturday. The Flyers will be pumped up playing in front of their home crowd (those great and passionate hockey fans haven't sold out their arena yet for tonight's game, pairs of tickets are still available as we are writing this) and should be open to counter attacks early on in the game.

Caps Nut Offical Prediction:

Caps 3
Flyers 5
Winner by Richards