Caps Wrap Up Season Series With Philly

Last season, the Flyers ended Washington's memorable campaign in heartbreaking fashion, and after being handed two bitter losses in three games, the Caps will try to square their season series with Philadelphia tonight.

The last time these teams met was earlier this month, when the Flyers rallied from a 2-1 deficit after 40 minutes to stun the Caps in their own building. The last time the Caps were in Philly, they were blitzed in a 7-1 loss where they couldn't capitalize on a strong start and turned in a poor final two periods. So it's safe to say the Flyers are one of the teams that's inside the Capitals' heads - as Alex Semin admitted earlier this season.

So, it's important for Washington to put on a good show against the Flyers for their own confidence, as although the two teams don't appear headed for a first-round rematch, teams will be sure to copy Philadelphia's aggressive style. Philly's forwards have done wonders against the Caps in the last two seasons crashing the crease, and Washington's defensemen have to do more to keep them from getting comfortable in the attacking zone.

The Caps also will likely have to play without Donald Brashear, who was injured during a fight in the 2-1 victory at Nashville Tuesday, meaning Michael Nylander may get a sweater - although he's not quite the forward the Caps need against Philly's squad. Philadelphia likes to rile up Washington with its physical play, and the Caps need to have some sort of response to the tactic - or the Caps will be seeing a lot of it in the next few months.

With less than a month left before the regular season draws to a close, Washington is in good shape for its second consecutive Southeast Division title, so it will be important for the Caps to shake their recent funk and put together a good effort against a club that has given them fits over the past 12 months. It'll be a good test to see how they can handle the Flyers for (perhaps) the last time this season, unless they end up meeting again in the playoffs.