NHL postseason opening round quick hits: Capitals vs. Flyers

Vitals
Philadelphia: (41-27-14) 5th in Metropolitan Division
Washington: (56-18-8) 1st in Metropolitan Division

Season Series
Washington took three of four meetings between the two teams this season, dropping the final bout 2-1 in the shootout at Wells Fargo Center on March 30.

Looking at the Matchup
The 2016 Presidents' Trophy winners handily beat the underdogs from Philly on paper in just about every category. They also have a best odds of getting past the first round and making a legit run at the Stanley Cup.

But don’t completely discount this Flyers team, which went 17-6-4 in the last leg of the season and is fueled by a lot of emotion after the recent passing of owner and founder Ed Snider. If the Flyers’ offense can get hot behind Wayne Simmonds — Jakub Voracek having a big series wouldn’t hurt — and the Flyers can solve Holtby early, the Caps could spend a lot of time battling from behind. And Washington has hiccuped during the season when having to play catch-up.

Washington still has the best chance of getting past Round 1. But this series could potentially go six or seven tilts deep.

Quotables
"I never really pay attention to what other people are saying about our chances… There were so many articles this year and so many people saying on Twitter that we weren't a playoff team, that we should tank. Blah, blah blah. And look at where we are. We're in the playoffs playing the Caps, and I would say we have a good chance to move on." —Jakub Voracek, winger, Philadelphia Flyers ( via Philadelphia Inquirer)