Philadelphia @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 8, 2020 ) Washington 2, Philadelphia 3

Alex Ovechkin resides on the cusp of history, as his 14 goals in the last seven games have positioned the three-time Hart Trophy recipient two shy of becoming the eighth player to reach 700 in his career. Ovechkin looks to set off fireworks on Saturday as the Washington Capitals host the Philadelphia Flyers.

Ovechkin has recharged the batteries after participating in three days of practice on the heels of recording his first career natural hat trick in Washington's 4-2 victory over Los Angeles on Tuesday. "I know he wants to get it out of the way, so hopefully he gets it done as soon as possible," Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom said, via the Washington Post. "It's a nice milestone, and it's been incredible watching him for this many years and hopefully for more years too." Ovechkin has amassed 34 goals in 55 career encounters with the Flyers, who were streaking along on a 6-1-1 run before inexplicably dropping a 5-0 decision to cellar-dwelling to New Jersey on Thursday. "You never want to ever get scored on but he's a great player and great scorer," Philadelphia defenseman Ivan Provorov said Friday. "He's gonna reach that milestone at some point. We're gonna do everything we can so it's not going to be against us, (but) someone else."

TIME: 7 p.m. ET. TV: NBCS Philadelphia, NBCS Washington

ABOUT THE FLYERS (29-18-7): While Ovechkin's torrid surge has been the talk of the NHL, that conversation is falling on deaf ears for Sean Couturier. "I don't really care to be honest, as long as we get the win," said the potential Selke Trophy candidate (best defensive forward), who will be matched up against Ovechkin as frequently as coach Alain Vigneault can do so. "At this point he's a big part of the team and you want to limit his shots, shot attempts. It's gonna be important to be focused when we're out there and know where he is at all times and take away time and space against that line." Couturier and Jakub Voracek saw a familiar face back on their line in practice Friday in struggling captain Claude Giroux, who is mired in a 13-game goal drought.

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (36-13-5): John Carlson scored a goal before setting up Ovechkin's last two tallies on Tuesday, giving him a team-leading 51 helpers in just 54 games this season to set a franchise record for the fewest games by a defenseman to reach 50 assists. Backstrom, who knows a thing or two about assists -- he has a franchise-best 673 in his career and has a dozen in his last 16 games. Fellow forward Carl Hagelin also set up a goal against the Kings to extend his career-high point streak to seven games.

OVERTIME

1. Philadelphia G Brian Elliott will look to rebound against Washington, answering two shutouts in three games by yielding four goals on 17 shots Thursday.

2. Capitals G Braden Holtby owns a 13-5-8 record versus the Flyers after splitting a pair of decisions this season.

3. Philadelphia C Travis Konecny, who leads the team with 17 goals, scored in a 3-2 win over Washington on Jan. 8.

PREDICTION: Capitals 5, Flyers 2