Game No. 3 of an 82-game slate is hardly reason for excitement, but tonight's Caps-Flyers game should be a good one. Assuming of course, that you're not one of those unfortunate souls with Direct TV. Tonight's episode of "SharkTank" isn't likely to hold a candle. Sorry.

Most folks see the Capitals and the Flyers as two of the top four teams in the Eastern Conference, along with the Penguins and Bruins. Washington and Philadelphia engaged in an entertaining playoff series some 18 months ago, and both clubs have improved since.

The Flyers' off-season additions of Ray Emery, Chris Pronger and Ian Laperriere were inspired ones. Philly has some good young players coming up in Claude Giroux and James van Riemsdyk. 

Again, we are only two games deep in an 82-game run. There is no real significance attached to tonight's tilt, but the members of the media and the hockey community here that I have talked with are all jacked for this one tonight.

There is plenty of star power in Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Green, Alexander Semin, Pronger, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and even Emery, to a lesser and different degree. It's the Flyers' home opener. Mike Knuble, a fave Flyer for four seasons, is making his first visit in an enemy sweater since before the lockout.

The Caps have scored 10 goals in two games. The Flyers have allowed just two goals in two games. Both teams are 2-0. But again, it's Game No. 3.

"If this was the middle of the season and the numbers were like that, it would be [something remarkable]," says Caps coach Bruce Boudreau. "They're an offensive club that's playing good defensively right now. The numbers mean nothing after two games. By Thursday we could be .500."

So it doesn't mean anything. But it should be fun to watch anyway. You can always TIVO SharkTank.