Ascending Capitals take aim at free-falling Flyers
With 25 games left in their season, the Washington Capitals mentally are in postseason mode.
The Capitals will look to extend their winning streak to four games Tuesday night when they visit the slumping Philadelphia Flyers.
Washington improved to 4-1-1 in its last six outings with Monday's 4-1 triumph against the New York Islanders. Capitals goalie Clay Stevenson made 29 saves to win his second straight game -- he's played in only three NHL contests in his career -- as he continues to fill in nicely for injured goalies Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren.
"Clay's stepping in there and just picking up where the other two left off," Capitals center Nic Dowd said of the 26-year-old Stevenson.
Washington defenseman Martin Fehervary and Anthony Beauvillier scored 31 seconds apart in the second period in Monday's contest. Dowd and defenseman John Carlson also tallied for the Capitals, who are in a stretch in which they play five of six games at home. Tuesday's game is the only road contest in that span.
Washington trails the Islanders by two points for the all-important third place in the Metropolitan Division.
"Especially with these guys being ahead of us in the standings, it was a great response by our group," Beauvillier said.
The Capitals, as hungry as ever, are trying to make the playoffs for the 11th time in the last 12 seasons.
"Our urgency level hasn't been higher this year," Washington coach Spencer Carbery said. "Through this last stretch, guys understand the significance that essentially our season's on the line and our playoff lives are on the line."
Meanwhile, the Flyers have lost 11 of their last 13 games (2-8-3), including four straight (0-3-1). They salvaged a point in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings.
Travis Konecny collected a goal and an assist while Trevor Zegras also scored for Philadelphia.
"It's a long year," Zegras said. "I thought we've played really well at times. We've played well at times and lost. I think there's ups and downs in a season, and we're a very confident group in each other. ... Hopefully we can have a nice last two games and then get back after it after the (Olympic) break."
Konecny has scored in each of the last three games and leads the Flyers with 22 goals. He also has a team-high 30 assists and has a chance to surpass his career high of 76 points (24 goals, 52 assists), set last season.
"He's trying to do the right things," Flyers coach Rick Tocchet said. "He's getting open, he's sprinting to (the right areas), and he's getting those goals. That's what I'm trying to get these guys to understand. Like, get to those areas quick; there might be some sticks or bodies in there, but you've got to get inside."
This will be the first of four matchups between the teams this season. Washington has won each of its last six meetings with Philadelphia.
Capitals star Alex Ovechkin has 52 goals and 31 assists in 78 career games against the Flyers. He hasn't scored in his last three games overall, however, and enters Tuesday's contest with just two goals in his last 11 games.