The Flyers have a rather comfortable eight-point Eastern Conference lead over the Washington Capitals, but theyve had tomorrows game at the Verizon Center circled on their calendars nonetheless.
After all, theres something about the rivalry between the Flyers and Capitals thats made for intense hockeyno matter where either team rests in the standings.
Since the first year I got to Philadelphia five years ago, the rivalry seems to be growing with these guys, Danny Briere said. There another one of those teams where there is no love. Theyre always very intense games. Theyre fun games to play in because its easy motivationyou dont have to think very hard and long to get up for these kinds of games.
Following last weeks success, the Flyers lead both the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference, with 39 points. If the postseason were to start today, they would face the Caps who, in eighth place and with 31 points, would only just barely make the playoffs.
No matter, the Flyers have faced a tough competitor in Washington in recent years. The Capitals won the teams only other meeting this season, 5-2, in Philadelphia on Oct. 20.
Theyve been a top division, top conference team for the last four or five years, coach Peter Laviolette said. When you play them in the regular season, its about being as competitive as you can be to try and hold the standings for home ice in the playoffs.
As that plays out through the course of the year, you always find yourself taking on Washington, which is No. 1 in the conference, No. 3 in the conference and theyve built that reputation and its been a little bit of an off year for them, as far as that goes, but theyre still an extremely dangerous teamtalented players, a new coach in place that theyre trying to make a good impression on, so we know that were going to be in for a tough go down in Washington.
NHL
Someone whos historically had a tough go in Washingtonat least according to what he saysis Jaromir Jagr. Jagr spent three seasons as a Capital, from 2001-03.
Since the Caps traded him to the New York Rangers, hes registered two goals and six assists in seven games at the Verizon Center.
I dont like that arena much, Jagr said. Ive not really had luck there. Its a tough place to play, even if I was in Pittsburgh and New York. It was always tough. But hopefully we can stay on winning.
E-mail Sarah Baicker at sbaicker@comcastsportsnet.com