Yahoo Sports Capitals vs. Flyers Preview: Line Combinations, Stats To Know, Players & Storylines To Watch
The Washington Capitals are less than 24 hours removed from a convincing win over the Philadelphia Flyers, but they know they're in for another tough bout with them as they visit Capital One Arena in the second game of a back-to-back series on Wednesday.
Here's everything to know before puck drop at 7:30 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena.
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Washington Capitals Line Combinations
Don't expect any line changes for the Capitals, who have found prime combinations that have worked so far to open the year. The only change will be in net, as Charlie Lindgren will get the night off and Logan Thompson starts as the rotation between both netminders — rightfully — continues.
Here are the projected combinations:
Aliaksei Protas-Dylan Strome-Alex Ovechkin
Connor McMichael-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Tom Wilson
Jakub Vrana-Hendrix Lapierre-Andrew Mangiapane
Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Taylor Raddysh
Jakob Chychrun-John Carlson
Martin Fehervary-Dylan McIlrath
Rasmus Sandin-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Logan Thompson
Charlie Lindgren
Washington Capitals Stats To Know
- The Capitals have managed at least three goals in each game to open the season and are riding a four-game winning streak. It's an impressive start, especially for a team where scoring was the biggest struggle last season.
- Dylan Strome and John Carlson are both on five-game point streaks to open the season, with Strome totalling 8 points and Carlson 6. Strome's eight points lead the Capitals.
- Connor McMichael is on a three-game point streak and is producing at over a point-per-game pace as he's found the scoresheet in all but one game so far.
- Jakob Chychrun has points in three of his last four games, including three points in his last two games.
Washington Capitals Storylines To Watch
- McMichael has thrived in his new role as the Capitals' second-line left wing this season, and he looks like a completely different player to open the year.
- The Capitals' penalty kill is ranked fourth in the league at 88.2 percent and managed two shorthanded goals against Philadelphia on Tuesday. With McMichael and Tom Wilson showing strong chemistry and Aliaksei Protas, Nic Dowd, Andrew Mangiapane and more generating chances while on the PK, D.C. is playing some of its strongest hockey so far.
Related: Takeaways: Defense, Penalty Kill Shine As Capitals Shut Down Flyers
- Alex Ovechkin is continuing his "GR8 Chase" of Wayne Gretzky, and after scoring on Saturday, is looking for his second goal of the year that would put him just 40 shy of breaking the all-time NHL goals record.
