Washington Capitals vs. Calgary Flames – 11/13/15 National Hockey League Pick, Odds, and Prediction

The Washington Capitals managed yet again to avoid losing consecutive games this season, downing the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2 on the road in an impressive show of skill and possession.

Ovechkin has been the face of the Washington Capitals for the past decade, a role he took over from Bondra, who scored 472 goals and had 825 points in 13-plus seasons in Washington, each a Capitals record until Ovechkin broke it last season.

Left winger Alex Ovechkin did not make history, but the Washington Capitals generated plenty of offense to beat the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2 on Thursday night at Wells Fargo Center.

Once again Ovechkin passed Sergei Fedorov for the all time Russian goal scoring lead but a challenge from Flyers’ head coach Dave Hakstol reversed the call. “Yeah, [Justin] owes me dinner and all kinds of stuff”.

Chimera also finished with an assist for three points, while center Nicklas Backstrom and right wingers T.J. Oshie also scored.

The Flyers, who entered with 27 goals – tied for last in the National Hockey League – struck first just 3:34 into the game when center Scott Laughton flicked a shot from near the circle for his third goal of the season, assisted by center Chris VandeVelde.

So, that’s why it’s somewhat alarming to see, even at this early stage of the season, the Capitals in 11th place in power-play percentage at 20.5 percent, behind such offensively challenged teams as New Jersey and Columbus. “I think it’ll be a nice thing for him to do it at home”.

The Washington Capitals spent the period (and most of the night) controlling five on five play.

Another lackluster Flyers power play was saved when an innocuous attempt on goal from Claude Giroux found its way past Holtby for a 2-1 Flyers lead just over a minute into the second period. Zucker registered his first multi-goal game of the season Thursday when he netted the overtime victor against the Hurricanes. They have five more points than Columbus, which had an NHL-low eight through Thursday, and were six behind the second wild card in the Eastern Conference.

First, Chimera deposited a bouncing pass that split two Flyers defensemen right down the middle, leaving Mason with no chance. Less than a minute later, the Capitals snared their first lead when Williams got in deep and put a rebound past Mason.

“My family is going to be there”, Ovechkin said.

“I was telling Ovi, ‘It’s probably fitting he gets to [break the record] in front of his own fans, ‘” Trotz said.

NOTES: Flyers G Steve Mason (sick) made his first start since November 2.

While Voracek said he doesn’t like to comment on goaltenders’ play – good or bad – he did mention the blame doesn’t fall on Mason and Michal Neuvirth. He was forced to leave Tuesday’s game early in the second period and is considered day-to-day…. The Capitals captain has scored 29 goals and set up 17 others in 37 career meetings with the Flyers – including 11 tallies and three assists in his last 11 visits to the City of Brotherly Love. Capitals C Chandler Stephenson and RW Stanislav Galiev were healthy scratches. Bellemare is considered day-to-day, while Umberger is sidelined 7-10 days….