Top 3 keys to victory for the Capitals against Flyers

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.

#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.