Philadelphia @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 14, 2019 ) Washington 5, Philadelphia 2

The Washington Capitals have not lost three games in a row since prior to the All-Star break and look to keep that streak intact when they resume a four-game homestand versus the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday afternoon. The back-to-back losses cost the Capitals a chance to widen their slim lead atop the Metropolitan Division.

Reigning Stanley Cup champion Washington has dropped three of four - two to NHL-best Tampa Bay - and showed little spark in Friday's 2-1 setback against Minnesota after a 5-4 overtime loss to the Lightning 48 hours earlier. “Everybody needs points right now,” captain Alex Ovechkin told reporters. “It doesn’t matter who you play against; it’s not going to be an easy one, especially a team who fights for a playoff spot. It’s playoff hockey." The Capitals hold a one-point lead atop the Metropolitan as they vie for their second season sweep - and first since 2006-07 - of the Flyers, whose fading playoffs hopes were dealt a huge jolt in Saturday's home 4-2 loss to the New York Islanders. Sitting in 10th place in the Eastern Conference with seven games to play, Philadelphia has lost four of six, including a 5-2 setback versus Washington on March 14.

TV: 12:30 p.m. ET, NBC

ABOUT THE FLYERS (36-31-8): Philadelphia surged into wild-card contention on the heels of an 18-4-2 run over a span of two months, but coach Scott Gordon acknowledged that the long uphill climb may have finally caught up with his team. “I’m sure it’s weighing on the players, knowing our time is winding down here,” Gordon told reporters. “We’re not in a position to, not only (have) a losing streak, but to lose more than a game.” Captain Claude Giroux reached 60 assists for the third time after setting up seven goals during a five-game point streak.

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (43-24-8): Brett Connolly scored twice and added an assist in a 5-2 romp at Philadelphia earlier this month, igniting a stretch in which he has collected four goals and seven points in five games. A former No. 6 overall pick in the 2010 draft, Connolly flamed out with Tampa Bay and Boston but has established career highs in goals (21) and points (43) in his third season with Washington. Carl Hagelin (illness) practiced after missing Friday's game but fellow forward Evgeny Kuznetsov was sent home Saturday after not feeling well.

OVERTIME

1. Ovechkin, who is two goals shy of reaching 50 for the eighth time, has one goal and two assists in three meetings versus the Flyers this season.

2. Flyers C Sean Couturier has three goals and five assists during a five-game point streak.

3. Washington recalled D Tyler Lewington from Hershey of the American Hockey League on Saturday.

PREDICTION: Capitals 4, Flyers 3