WAS vs PHI

WHO FILLS IN
The Flyers need to replace Mike Knuble (torn left hamstring) in their lineup for Game 6.

He said on Sunday that he was hoping he’d wake up to find the leg was improved but he has resigned himself to knowing he’s finished for this series. The Flyers would have to get to Game 5-6 of the next round - at the earliest - Knuble estimates before he could return.

Among the healthy scratches in the series are enforcer Riley Cote, Steve Downie and Denis Tolpeko. Neither Downie nor Tolpeko have played a single minute in the series and both played sparingly down the stretch. Flyers coach John Stevens’ won’t commit but it’s highly unlikely he’ll throw them into the pressure cooker for Game 6.

Look for Cote to be back in the lineup with Sami Kapanen earning more minutes on the fourth line on the PK units.

THE BIG QUESTION
Knuble plays in front of the net on the power play. Stevens was badgered by reporters on Sunday about who replaces Knuble on the PP unit. Scott Hartnell often plays in front of the net. But someone has to on both units.

The logical choice here is R.J. Umberger, who just happened to be playing in front of the net in Game 4 when the Flyers scored a big power play goal from Danny Briere (3 PPGs) that sent the game in overtime where Knuble won it.

Again, Stevens would not commit on his personnel. But Umberger seemed to say it for him.

“There might be some power play opportunity available; I got to make the best of it ... Mike’s done an unbelievable job in front of the net. He gets so many power play goals. He’s on the top unit the whole year for a reason. I have to step up and do some things, get in front of the goalie’s face, if I can, and cause some havoc.”

QUOTE OF THE DAY
Caps coach Bruce Boudreau said his team goes into Philadelphia where “they have 20,000 goofs cheering for them.” Danny Briere read that quote and remarked, “I’ll just be one of those goofs.”

BRUCE SAYS
Caps coach Bruce Boudreau about Game 6: “It's a very evenly matched series right now. We'll see who get the lucky bounce at the right time.”

THE OVECHKIN FACTOR
Alexander Ovechkin had a strong Game 5 and was a menace on the ice to the Flyers’ Kimmo Timomen, terrorizing him every time he touched the puck with vicious hits.

“We've talked to him about coming back to the puck and supporting the puck using his teammates,” said Brooks Laich. “Sometimes, it looks like he's on a island, surrounded by three or four of their guys. That's how they are defending him. But he's learned because he hasn't had success that way. He's making short passes, supporting the puck.

He didn't get a goal [in Game 5], but he still did things to help us win the hockey game. He drew some penalties and was a distraction, which opens up the ice for other guys. When he goes to the net, their team goes, 'Oh my God, Alex is here I have to cover him.' Maybe that takes their mind off someone else, who might be to get a backdoor goal.”

POWER PLAYS
The Capitals have scored two power-play goals in each of the last two games, going 4-for-10 in that time (40 per cent). The Flyers are a woeful 4-for-25 for the series (16 per cent).