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Caps in a race for the division - Ovechkin race for Rocket |
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With every game, the intensity is getting ratcheted up in the race for the Metro Division as the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals are beginning to round into form as they head down the stretch drive to the playoffs. Currently tied with the New York Islanders for 1st place with 85 points, tonight’s matchup vs the injury-depleted New Jersey Devils becomes a game the Caps need to bank as every point will matter with noly 15 games left. Tonight is the first of a two-game homestand with the Winnipeg Jets visiting Capital One Arena on Sunday night.
The 39-21-7 Capitals bring a 5-game winning streak with them into the game tonight while facing a 25-33-9 Devils squad winless in 4 games and well out of the playoff picture. Former Hart trophy winner Taylor Hall, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt are all injured and will not dress as the Devils top-6 forward combos are decimated. Kyle Palmieri, who leads the team in scoring is returning from injury, their top defenceman Sami Vatanen will not play. Miles Wood is also out, so the Caps won’t be have to be wary as much in the physical game.
The Capitals special teams have been improving since the All-Star Break and in particular the PK with the additions of Nick Jensen and Carl Hagelin. Hagelin has been dangerous on the PK as a scoring threat as weill and is causing opponents to change their breakouts. Jensen has been steady and makes the wise play more often than not and has the ability to hold onto the puck get it to the right area. He’s been better than expected in my opinion. I still see him being in the Caps top-4 by playoffs. A great signing by the GM here locking him up for 4 more years.
The power play has now scored in seven of the last eight games converting for 33.3% as the team seems to be showing different looks. Watch for Ovechkin to slide down to the goal line and open up space for a John Carlson slap shot. Also, Ovechkin and Carlson have been switching sides at times. Great example on this play. Look where Ovi is...
Alex Ovechkin (46) still has a 5-goal lead on Leon Draisaitl (41) of Edmonton in the Rocket Richard race. Draisaitl didn’t score last night in Edmonton’s win over Vancouver. Ovechkin became the first NHL player in history to register ten 45-goal season and with his next point he will have 1,200 in his career.
Forward Tom Wilson is one goal away from a 20-goal season. The abrasive, hard-hitting, physical power forward has made many forget about the contract he signed last summer. Any Caps fan would be excited at the possibility of him providing 20-25 goals a year and bring what other attributes to the table. It can’t be forgotten with his suspension and injury earlier in the year he’s only played in 48 games and potted 19 goals. He realistically, could have scored 30 this year otherwise.
The Devils smoked the Caps 6-0 early in the season but Washington replied back with a 6-3 win over the Devils the last time the teams met on Nov. 30. Keith Kincaid earned the shutout for the Devils in the win but has since been traded and New Jersey will start rookie Mackenzie Blackwood tonight while the Caps will counter with Braden Holtby who’s looked good recently. Since the All-star game, he is 8-4-1 with more career like numbers with a 2.54 GAA and .919SV%.
Coach Todd Reirden looks like he has settled into a line-up as Carl Hagelin and Andre Burakovsky have switched positions for the second game. Both players seem to have benefited and in particular, Burakovsky who has played well amidst a possible trade and now with the deadline gone, he seems to be even more confident coming into tonight on a two-game goal scoring streak with 3 goals and 2 assists his last 6 games while only averaging around 10 minutes a game.
Game time is 7PM EST from Capital One Arena in DC.
Capital Gain:
Braden Holtby became the second fastest goaltender to 250 wins in the Caps last victory.
If you haven’t heard of him….. You will now…
Washington Capitals Blogger • 
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