Pre-cap: Capitals vs. Flyers

Just a quick programming note, I'll be in the press-box for one period tonight so check back here for something on that. If you're a blogger who will be in the box, feel free to chastise the two lanky guys who are try to not break press box ethics.

The Flyers are quickly becoming the Capitals biggest rival. After dispatching the Caps in game seven of the playoffs, the Flyers proceeded to "lay the smack down," with a 7-1 win in December.

After the defeat Bruce Boudreau left the Flyers with an ominous message "what goes around comes around -- and it will."

Washington Capitals (26-11-3, first in SE, second in EC, last game 2-1 win over NYR)
vs.
Philadelphia Flyers (21-10-8, second in ATL, fifth in EC, last game 2-1 SO loss to LA)

Your fight card for tonight
Fans of fighting, you're in for a treat. Tonight will be a revenge match as the Capitals will be looking to keep their home winning streak alive. Expect any combination of these players to drop the gloves.
Donald Brashear, Chris Clark, Matt Bradley, Arron Asham, Scott Hartnell, Riley Cote
Fight note: Brashear vs. Asham is likely as Asham injured Brashear with a slash in the last meeting.

All banged up: Flyers edition

J. Lupul RW	Jan 3, 2009	Day-to-Day	Undisclosed Injury
C. Giroux RW	Jan 3, 2009	Day-to-Day	Head
S. Gagne LW	Dec 31, 2008	Day-to-Day	Upper-body Injury
D. Briere C	Dec 3, 2008	Injured Reserve	Strained Left Groin
J. Beaulieu RW	Oct 8, 2008	Injured Reserve	Undisclosed Injury
M. Rathje D	Sep 20, 2008	Injured Reserve	Back
D. Hatcher D	Sep 20, 2008	Injured Reserve	Right Knee

Simon Gagne is expected to return against the Capitals. Kind of nice to not be the only team feeling the injury squeeze.

Live and die by special teams
Tonight's game features the Flyers second ranked powerplay (25.8%) versus the Capitals fifth ranked powerplay (23.2). The Flyers scored two powerplay goals in the last meeting of these two and one shorthanded goal.

Vengeance Now!
The Capitals goaltenders will be looking for some revenge tonight. In their last meeting with the Flyers, Brent Johnson was pulled in favor of Jose Theodore after the second period. Johnson let in three goals on 13 shots. Theodore didn't fare any better, behind a demotivated Caps defense he allowed four goals on 15 shots. Theodore is rumored to have the start tonight.

Stay classy Philly...
Leave it to Philadelphia fans to sabotage a game with stink bombs

Round the blogosphere
John Tavares will now be coached by Capitals great Dale Hunter...Pittsburgh is imploding...Even Capitals prospects in Sweden can't escape the injury plague...How cute! Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher are an item...Ovechkin can steal the heart of anyone, even in Buffalo.

LET'S GO CAPS!