Capitals Daily Report: Top Line Beagle Tonight for Caps Final Game Before Break

Posted on January 26, 2017 by

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The Capitals held a morning skate Thursday morning at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, to prepare for their final game before the NHL All Star break. Tonight, the Capitals and Devils meet for the third time this season, with puck drop at 7 PM. You can catch the game on CSN or on FM radio at 104.7. 

There was some sudden news before the Capitals took the ice this morning, requiring adjustments to the top line and special teams.

MORNING SKATE

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Lines for tonight: Photo: Fan Sided

After Jay Beagle missed Tuesday night’s game due to an illness, he was back on the ice getting prepared for the big task of taking over the top line. He will be in the right-wing spot, taking over for T.J. Oshie, who had to fly back to Arlington, Va to take care of a family matter.

The defensive pairings were Alzner-Niskanen, Orpik-Orlov, and Schmidt and Chorney. Braden Holtby gets the start.

Holtby and Alex Ovechkin will represent the Capitals in the All Star game this Sunday in LA. The rest of the team will enjoy a mini-break before hitting the Kettler ice on Monday afternoon for practice.

Braden Holtby isn’t concerned about lack of rest since the Caps will have their bye week from Feb. 12-17.  “Especially if you’re going to the All Star game, you get to enjoy it (the festivities) a little more with the fact that you know you’re going to get a break after that,” said Holtby.

John Carlson will miss the game tonight and continues to rehab his lower body. “I expect him to be back playing right when we get back,” head coach Barry Trotz told reporters.

METROPOLITAN STANDINGS

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GAME CHIPS

  • Tonight’s game between the Capitals and Devils is the third of four meetings between the teams this season. They will meet again in DC on Thursday, March 2nd.
  • The Capitals go for their sixth consecutive win at New Jersey.
  • For a complete game preview, click here:

SHAVINGS

  • The Caps began a stretch of 17 games in 31 days on December 27th  (at NYI) and posted a 12-2-2 record during that span. Washington is 23-2-2 with a one day rest.
  • Braden Holtby’s three shutouts against the Devils are tied for his most shutouts in his career against an NHL team (He did the same vs. Bruins) and his 10 career wins are tied for second most against a team (NYI:12).
  • The Capitals have scored four or more goals in 11 of their last 14 games.
  • Washington has earned a point in seven consecutive games against Metropolitan Division opponents (5-0-2) and have outscored opponents 35-14 during that span.
  • The Caps have earned a point in six of their last seven road games (5-1-1) and in 12 of their last 14 on the road (8-2-3).
  • The Capitals have earned a point in nine consecutive games against the Devils.
  • Holtby has posted a 13-2-3 record with five shutouts, a 1.72 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage in his last 20 games, including a career-long 169:12 shutout streak from Jan. 3-9.
  • The Capitals have tallied a point in 14 of their last 15 games and have posted a 19-3-3 record in their last 25 games.

DAILY LINKS
Caps Have Thursday Night Date with Devils (Mike Vogel)
Caps Today and Top Game Notes, 1/26/17 (Capitals PR)
Brooks Orpik’s ice time has been very “positive”, but….

INTERVIEWS

Braden Holtby:

Brooks Orpik:

Barry Trotz

Alex Ovechkin

SCENES FROM NEW JERSEY

By Michael Marzzacco

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1 Response to Capitals Daily Report: Top Line Beagle Tonight for Caps Final Game Before Break

  1. Pingback: T.J. Oshie Won’t Play Tonight vs. Devils | NoVa Caps

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