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Flyers return home to take on Capitals

Jan 18, 2011 - 3:59 PM (Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Flyers will be back on home ice following a successful road trip as they host the Washington Capitals in tonight's showdown at Wells Fargo Center.

The Flyers have played nine of their last 10 games on the road and recently wrapped up a four-game swing with a 3-1-0 record. Philadelphia has the best road record in the NHL this season, posting a 16-5-3 mark away from the City of Brotherly Love.

Philadelphia, which also has a solid 13-6-2 home record, is playing the first of three straight as the host tonight. Including this evening's tilt, the Flyers will play eight of their next 10 games in Philly.

Washington, however, is just 9-9-2 as the guest this year and is kicking off a three-game road trip tonight. The Capitals will also visit the New York Islanders and Toronto during the trek.

The Flyers, who are leading the East with 63 points, have split a pair of games with Washington this season and both contests went past regulation. The Caps hosted both of the previous meetings this year, notching a 3-2 overtime win on Nov. 7 before dropping a 5-4 shootout decision on Nov. 20.

Washington has still taken four of five and five of the last seven encounters with the Flyers overall and the Capitals have also won six of their previous eight tests in Philly.

The Flyers have won their last two games and have posted a 6-1-0 record in January. Philadelphia last played Sunday evening in New York and jumped out to a three-goal lead over the Rangers before holding on for the 3-2 victory at Madison Square Garden.

Mike Richards' second-period goal proved to be the game-winner. as the 23rd short-handed tally of his career had given the Flyers a 3-0 lead at 4:25 of the middle frame. But the Blueshirts got goals from newcomer Wojtek Wolski and rookie Derek Stepan in a span of 2:24 in the third period.

The Rangers then called Martin Biron to the bench in favor of an extra skater late in regulation, but couldn't net the equalizer.

Jeff Carter and Ville Leino scored in the first period for Philadelphia and Brian Boucher earned the victory with 34 saves.

"We're happy with where we are at, but we know there is still a lot of work to be done," said Boucher.

Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger, who has been out since suffering a broken right foot on Dec. 15, is nearing a return to the ice, but is expected to sit out a 13th straight game tonight. The star blueliner could play Thursday against Ottawa.

The Capitals also played on Sunday and were able to halt a three-game slide with a 3-1 victory over the visiting Senators. John Carlson tallied the go- ahead goal eight minutes in to the third period as Washington used a three- goal third period to defeat Ottawa at Verizon Center.

Brooks Laich and Jason Chimera also lit the lamp for the Capitals. Michal Neuvirth gave up one goal on 23 shots, but had six saves in the final period to preserve the win.

"When you're down 1-0, it's good to come back," Chimera said. "You can just see the weight come off, we got the big monkey off our back once we scored. Then we started to get some good chances."

Caps defenseman Mike Green missed practice on Monday due to a cold, but is expected to play tonight. However, Matt Bradley (broken finger), Eric Fehr (shoulder), Tom Poti (lower body) and Alexander Semin (lower body) will not join the team on this trip.