Searching for a win; Capitals at Flyers

Mike Yeo and his 15-24-9 Philadelphia Flyers welcome Alex Ovechkin and the 27-15-9 Washington Capitals to Philadelphia. The Flyers are lookin for their first win after the All-Star break with Martin Jones getting the nod in goal. You can catch the game at 7 pm on NBCSP.

Martin Jones will finally get back in-between the pipes tonight against the Capitals. Jones’ last start came on January 25th against the New York Islanders, where he faced a total of 33 shots, allowing 4 goals. Jones is currently 6-8-2 on the season with a 3.56 GAA and a .901 SV%.

I was wondering when Jones was going to get some looks here with the NHL trade deadline quickly approaching. Chuck Fletcher will look to get some assets for the 32 year old, with multiple teams (cough cough Edmonton) needing goalie help.

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Injuries

It’ll be nice to see Gerry Mayhew back in the lineup after suffering that scary eye injury after falling into the boards against the Red Wings on the 12th. Mayhew missed the last game against Pittsburgh due to his eye still be swollen.

Rasmus Ristolainen remains out with an upper-body injury. Rasmus is already starting to pop up in trade deadline rumors, so we’ll see how quickly he can get back out there.

Mike Yeo hopes that Patrick Brown and Rasmus will be able to get cleared tomorrow and be back on the ice for Carolina on the 21st.

Flyers Lineup vs Washington Capitals

Oskar Lindblom – Claude Giroux – Cam Atkinson

James van Riemsdyk – Scott Laughton – Travis Konecny

Max Willman – Morgan Frost – Gerry Mayhew

Issac Ratcliffe – Connor Bunnaman – Zack MacEwen

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Ivan Provorov – Justin Braun

Travis Sanheim – Nick Seeler

Keith Yandle – Kevin Connauton

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Martin Jones

Ratty

I have really liked what I’ve seen out of 6’6, Issac Ratcliffe since making his NHL debut against the Kings on January 29th. Despite taking 2 penalties vs PIT, one being a delay of game, the energy and presence he’s brought to the lineup has been fun to watch.

He was bumped up in the lineup against PIT with Gerry Mayhew out and was the best player on the line consisting of Morgan Frost and Max Willman. I thought Frost had a slow start to the game, but really started to get comfortable towards the middle frame of the game. 

Frost had a slot chance in the 3rd period, where he picked up a loose puck and snapped one on the net with a beautiful screen in front of DeSmith. The save was made, but Frost picking that puck up in a dangerous area and letting it rip is a good sign for the kid’s confidence with the puck on his stick.

PP

Since the Flyers have returned from the All-Star break their power play has gone 1 for their last 12, with the only goal coming from a Keith Yandle bomb on the 12th vs DET. Raise your hand if you’ve heard this before, the Flyers power play is one of the ugliest units I think I have ever laid my eyes on. 

The Capitals, on the other hand, have gone 3 for their last 15 on the power play, so I fully expect them to get back on track tonight even though the Flyer’s PK hasn’t been as abysmal as their PP.

Parx Sportsbook

The Flyers are currently +143 on Parx Sportsbook to beat the Capitals at home tonight. The Capitals are 2-2 since the All-Star break, losing to CBJ and OTT, so if you feel a Flyers win tonight, there’s your bet.

Parx is also running a special at +530 for the Penguins and Flyers to both win their games. Pittsburgh has Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight.

Mandatory Credit: Zack Hill/Flyers PR - Flyers Twitter