Washington Capitals vs Philadelphia Flyers Picks and Predictions October 23rd 2024

Capitals Aim to Sweep Flyers, Extend Winning Streak to Five

The Washington Capitals are looking to continue their hot streak and extend their winning streak to five games as they face off against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night. This home rematch follows Washington’s dominant 4-1 victory over Philadelphia on Tuesday, where the Capitals took advantage of two short-handed goals and a strong defensive performance to secure the win.

Capitals’ Strong Defense and Special Teams Shine

Washington’s defense has been a major factor in their recent success, with players like John Carlson and Jakob Chychrun stepping up when it matters most. Carlson netted his second goal of the season in the third period, extending his personal point streak to five games with two goals and four assists. Dylan Strome continued his red-hot form, assisting on Carlson’s goal, making it five consecutive games with a point for him as well.

Special teams have been a key strength for the Capitals. Both Nic Dowd and Andrew Mangiapane scored short-handed goals during Tuesday’s win, giving Washington a decisive edge. Capitals coach Spencer Carbery praised his team’s ability to capitalize on these opportunities, saying, “We were able to capitalize on two short-handed opportunities. Great finishes by Dowd and Mangiapane gave us the cushion we needed.”

With Charlie Lindgren starting Tuesday’s game and making 17 saves, goaltender Logan Thompson is expected to get the start in net for Wednesday’s rematch. Thompson remains undefeated in his two starts this season and holds a 1-0-1 career record against the Flyers, providing Washington with confidence in his ability to hold off Philadelphia’s offense once again.

Flyers Struggling to Find Momentum

On the other side, the Philadelphia Flyers are in a deep slump, now enduring a five-game losing streak. During this tough stretch, the Flyers have been outscored 23-11 and have struggled to find consistent offense. Travis Sanheim scored the only goal for Philadelphia in Tuesday’s loss, but the team has had trouble building any offensive momentum since their season-opening win against Vancouver.

Flyers coach John Tortorella has emphasized the importance of staying aggressive without leaving themselves vulnerable. “We need to stay aggressive but not cheat and hope for plays. It’s about finding the balance between pushing forward and not giving up opportunities the other way,” Tortorella said, as the Flyers continue searching for answers.

In net, Ivan Fedotov is expected to start for Philadelphia on Wednesday. Fedotov has struggled in his two appearances this season, allowing five goals in each outing and entering the game with a 6.09 goals-against average. The Flyers will need a big performance from their goaltender and tighter defensive play to avoid extending their losing streak to six games.

Key Matchups to Watch

Capitals’ Special Teams vs. Flyers’ Defense

Washington’s special teams were lethal in Tuesday’s victory, and Philadelphia will need to find a way to contain the Capitals’ opportunistic short-handed and power play units. The Flyers can’t afford to give Washington easy chances if they hope to stay competitive.

Logan Thompson vs. Flyers’ Offense

With Thompson set to start in goal for Washington, the Flyers’ offense will have their work cut out for them. The Capitals’ goaltender has been sharp in his early-season starts, and the Flyers will need to find a way to generate more sustained pressure to break through.

Flyers’ Defensive Struggles

The Flyers have allowed an average of over four goals per game during their five-game skid, and with Fedotov’s struggles in net, Philadelphia’s defense will need to step up to limit Washington’s scoring opportunities and keep the game within reach.

Join for Top Betting Strategies! Register Today.

Game Outlook

Washington comes into the game riding a wave of momentum, while Philadelphia will be desperate to turn things around and avoid their sixth straight loss. The Capitals’ defense and special teams have been excellent, and if they can maintain their discipline and capitalize on the Flyers’ defensive weaknesses, they stand a strong chance of completing the home-and-home sweep.

Prediction

With Washington’s strong play on both ends of the ice and Philadelphia’s ongoing struggles, expect the Capitals to come out on top once again. If Thompson continues his solid play in net, the Flyers could find it difficult to generate enough offense to keep up.

Capitals 4, Flyers 2