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Top 3 keys to victory for the Capitals against Flyers

It all comes down to tonight

By Michael Marzzacco |
T.J. Oshie, Washington Capitals
T.J. Oshie, Washington Capitals / Tim Nwachukwu/GettyImages
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Here we are folks. Game 82 of 82. The Washington Capitals must win to secure a playoff spot. We've got your top 3 keys to victory including how to watch the game so buckle up. This can help pass the time if you're on the road up to Philly as well as long as you aren't behind the wheel reading this.

#3 3 or more goals is the magic number

The Capitals got by the Boston Bruins with two goals yesterday but it was a one goal game for much of the contest. The Caps came up empty on their lone power play of the night but the offense was there when needed.

Thanks to a screen created by Tom Wilson, it allowed a shot from the point by John Carlson to trickle through to give the Caps what they needed while Charlie Lindgren took care of the rest.

Spencer Carbery was non committal on whether Chuck starts the finale but he speaks to the media at 4:45 today with no morning skate. Carlson had his fifth goal in his last 13 games and also notched his fifth game winning goal in the process. That ranks tied for first on the team with Alex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome.

Per Sportlogiq, the Capitals held a 5:04 to 4:23 advantage in even strength offensive zone possession time. So the offense was there and they put up the shots. But I fear the Caps need to score more than twice if they want to win tonight.

Charlie Lindgren, Washington Capitals
Charlie Lindgren, Washington Capitals / Tim Nwachukwu/GettyImages

#2 Continue no rest no days off mentality

One day at a time is what Carbery says. That's also the motto. It's been the motto here at Stars and Sticks since weeks before the trade deadline. We've stuck by it for the most part. The good news is the young guys are used to this with Hershey and minor league play. Those young bucks do back to backs all the time.

Tonight's game marks the second game of the Caps 15th set of back to back games. The Caps are 9-6-0 in the first game of back to backs and 7-5-2 in the second game. The Caps seven wins on zero days rest are tied for the fifth most in the NHL, per the game notes, the others: New York Rangers with 11, Pittsburgh Penguins with nine, Nashville Predators and Carolina Hurricanes with eight and Toronto with seven.

All seven of the Caps wins in the second game of a back to back have come on the road and their seven road wins on zero days rest are the most in the NHL.

Trevor van Riemsdyk, Washington Capitals
Trevor van Riemsdyk, Washington Capitals / Tim Nwachukwu/GettyImages

#1 Control the game

The Caps need to do what they did last night against the Bruins. In addition to scoring three or more goals and continuing their back to back road success, the Caps have to out hit and out battle the Flyers and not scoreboard watch. But if it's tied late and the Flyers pull the goalie to try their last ditch at making the playoffs, just get the puck to Ovi and have Ovi finish it off.

Here's how to watch:

  • Date: April 16
  • Time: 7 p.m.
  • Where: Wells Fargo Center
  • What Channel Is Capitals Game On: Monumental Sports Network, Monumental Sports Network 2 Alt Cast
  • Radio: 106.7 The Fan, Team 980, Caps Radio 24/7
  • Betting Odds: The Capitals vs. Flyers betting odds on Caesars have the Capitals as 1.5 goal underdogs on the road. The Capitals have +110 moneyline odds, while the Flyers are favored at -130. The total for the game is set at an over/under of 5.5 goals.
  • Live Streaming: fuboTV has live NHL games on ESPN which you can stream from your phone, television, and all your favorite devices. This is a service that broadcasts live TV over the internet, no cable is required. Watch your favorite teams, network shows, news, and movies on 100+ channels. Plus on-demand entertainment including full TV series. fuboTV is currently available in the United States, Canada, and Spain.
  • Reddit: Reddit can sometimes have streams of live NHL games but make sure they are legal. The official NHL Subreddit is located at https://www.reddit.com/r/nhl/.

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