Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the NHL regular season match.
The Philadelphia Flyers' start to the season is anything but successful. They have suffered four losses in five games and will look to end their losing streak at Wells Fargo Center against the Washington Capitals.
Philadelphia Flyers
This current Philadelphia team looks particularly lacklustre compared to their early stretch last season. It’s understandable, though: John Tortorella’s trademark vertical hockey, where all four forward lines work tirelessly on defence and then spring into attack, is no longer a surprise. Their old issues remain—there’s still a lack of execution to capitalise on more chances. At 5-on-5, the hosts have converted just 5.77% of their shots into goals, ranking fourth from the bottom.
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals, on the other hand, are pleasantly surprising. The team strengthened significantly in the offseason, and nearly every new addition is providing them with fresh impetus. Andrew Mangiapane shines as a goal supplier from the lower lines, while Pierre-Luc Dubois is living up to his status as a top-6 NHL player in his prime. The Capitals are averaging four goals per game and rank among the league’s top three.
Philadelphia Flyers vs Washington Capitals Prediction
The Philadelphia Flyers seem somewhat lost, and even looking at advanced metrics, there's nothing that indicates a quick turnaround in their negative trend. The Washington Capitals as an away underdog is a favourable proposition.
