The Washington Capitals have been finding a cure for their early season woes, while the Philadelphia Flyers have hit a rough patch in their season. The two teams meet for a second time on Wednesday in hopes of moving up the Eastern Conference ladder.
The Capitals won on Tuesday, making it their fifth win the last seven games. After starting 2-8-1, they are now 5-2-0. If they intend on making a late season push at getting into the Stanley Cup playoffs, they have to hope their early season struggles are behind them. The biggest reason the team has been winning is due to their defensive play. In their first 11 games, they allowed 41 non-shootout goals, averaging 3.73 goals per game. In their seven-game hot streak, they allowed only 14 goals, averaging just 2.00 goals per game. Braden Holtby also recorded two shutouts. Center Mike Ribeiro has been playing outstanding with five goals and nine assists over the past 10 games. He earned at least one point in nine of the games. Ovechkin has earned five points in the last two games after posting a hat trick in Saturday's win over New Jersey.
The Flyers have hit a rough patch in their season, having trailed by at least two goals in five of their last six games. They have split the decisions of their last six games. The team has dipped into the past, resigning Simon Gagne to help with an injury-filled lineup. Gagne spent his first 10 NHL seasons with the Flyers. In his second season with the Kings, Gagne has five points in 11 games so far. He was a healthy scratch the last four games before asking for a trade. This is only the second time in his career that he has been traded. The Flyers hope he can provide a necessary spark to the team. Forward Jakub Voracek has 14 points during the six-game losing streak. Scott Hartnell could help the struggling Capitals if he can find some consistency in his playing. He has four goals and three assists in his 13 career games against the Capitals.
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