After a memorable regular season, the Capitals host the Flyers looking to keep the momentum when the puck drops on Game 1 of this Round 1 series as part of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Washington won 56 games and notched 120 points to clinch the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's best team and secured home-ice advantage throughout the postseason. Philadelphia fought until the end and notched its second playoff spot in three years.
The Capitals boasted plenty of 20-goal scorers this season, including Alex Ovechkin, who reached the 50-goal plateau for the third straight campaign, and Evgeny Kuznetsov, who led the club with 77 points in the regular season.
The Flyers attack was paced by Claude Giroux (team-leading 45 assists and 67 points) and Wayne Simmonds (club-best 32 goals). The last time these teams met in the postseason, Philadelphia toppled Washington in seven games in the opening round of the 2007-08 playoffs.
In the crease, Braden Holtby will suit up for the Capitals after playing a season in which he tied the NHL single-season record with 48 wins. The Flyers will counter with Steve Mason in the blue paint.
"They still have that physical element, as do we, as do a lot of other teams," Holtby told NHL.com. "It's not a new thing. It's more how you deal with that against any team and keeping your composure with still staying on that intense edge as some of our players play."
Though most people have picked the Capitals to roll over the Flyers, Philadelphia is excited for the opportunity to prove them wrong.
"It's the best time of year, it's why we play 82 games," Philadelphia forward Jakub Voracek said per NHL.com. "I'm very happy we made it and we have a chance to win a Cup, so everyone's going to be nervous and excited. It's going to be a good series."
Game Preview & Live Stream
Details: Flyers at Capitals Game 1
Venue: Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Radio: Philadelphia (97.5 The Fanatic); Washington (WTKT 1460)
Prediction: Our predictions for this series can be found here.
Betting Odds: The latest betting odds can be found here.
Watch Online: This game can be live streamed for free here.
