Top 3 key Capitals to watch against Flyers
The Washington Capitals take on the Philadelphia Flyers tonight for the fourth and final time and a rematch from Wednesday night’s road defeat. Caps will be at home rocking their Reverse Retro jerseys for the final time this season.
After tonight’s home game the Caps will play four of their next five games on the road.
For more on tonight’s game and how to watch and bet, click here. Click here for today’s news about Dylan Strome being a healthy scratch. For fantasy value picks, click here.
Read on to learn more about the top 3 key players to watch tonight.
#3 Garnet Hathaway
Garnet Hathaway scored a goal on Wednesday night at Philadelphia which was his second straight game with a point after assisting on Erik Gustafsson’s goal on Sunday night’s win against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Hathaway has recorded five points in his last seven games with three goals and two assists. This season, Hathaway leads the Capitals in hits with 144 and penalties drawn with 21.
Hathaway’s 144 hits rank fourth in the NHL and his 21 drawn penalties rank tied for fifth. With Hathaway on the ice at five on five, the Capitals have outscored opponents 22-15.
Hathaway isn’t the only player to watch tonight.
#2 Nic Dowd
Nic Dowd recorded an assist on Wednesday at the Flyers which marked his second straight game with an assist. Dowd has recorded nine points with five goals and four assists in his last 10 games and has 19 points in 42 games this season with 10 goals and nine assists.
Dowd, who recorded a career high 24 points with 10 goals and 14 assists in 64 games last season is on pace to record 36 points this season.
Dowd ranks tied for first on Washington in plus minus with a +10. He leads Capitals’ forwards in shorthanded ice time per game (2:17) and ranks second on the Caps in penalties drawn with 16 and fourth in hits with 88.
Per Natural Stat Trick, Dowd has started 12.74 percent of his five on five shifts in the offensive zone, the lowest offensive zone start percentage in the NHL.
Despite starting a vast majority of his shifts outside of the offensive zone, Washington has outscored opponents 22 to 14 when Dowd is on the ice at five on five.
Dowd is on his dad strength as him and his wife Paige welcomed their second baby into the world. It’s great to see him produce and I’ve been a fan of his game since he came on board to fill the void left by Jay Beagle.
#1 Alex Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin scored his 29th goal of the season on Jan. 5 at the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 37 year old ranks tied for fourth in the NHL in goals and tie for 16th in points. He is one goal shy of reaching the 30 goal mark for the 17th time in his 18 year career which would tie former Capital Mike Gartner for the most 30 goal seasons in NHL history.
The only season in which Ovechkin did not score 30 goals was the COVID shortened 2021 season when he scored 24 goals in 45 games averaging a 0.53 goals per game.
With 29 goals in 44 games, Ovechkin could become the fastest player in NHL history to reach the 30 goal mark among players to begin a season at age 37 or older. Jean Beliveau had 30 goals in 54 games played in 1968-69.
Ovechkin is on pace to score 54 goals this season. Should he reach the 50 goal mark, it would mark his 10th career 50 goal season, passing Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy (each with nine) for the most in NHL history.
In addition, Ovechkin would pass Gretzky for the most 40 goal seasons in NHL history as the great one finished with 12.
Puck drop is at 7 p.m. from Capital One Arena. Enjoy the game Caps fans!