Photo: @Capitals
The Capitals begin the 2018 calendar year with a road game in Carolina against Justin Williams and the Hurricanes. This marks the only game for the Capitals this week as they’ll get four days off before hosting the St. Louis Blues this Sunday. Here are the news and notes from the team’s morning skate at PNC Arena.
THE MORNING LINES
Ovechkin-Stephenson-DSP
Vrana-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Connolly-Eller-Wilson
Burakovsky-Beagle-Chiasson
Djoos-Carlson
Orpik-Bowey
Orlov-Chorney
Goalie in the starter’s net: Braden Holtby
NEWS
Defenseman Matt Niskanen didn’t join the team in Carolina as he’s still recovering from an upper-body injury. Nicklas Backstrom remained at the team hotel and did not skate. He is sick and will be a game-time decision.
So, to recap, the #Caps WILL be without Niskanen and COULD be without Backstrom tonight in Raleigh. #Caps#CapsCanes
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) January 2, 2018
Andre Burakovsky, after being scratched from the lineup in Saturday’s game against the Devils, was taking rushes on the fourth-line alongside Jay Beagle and Alex Chiasson. With Backstrom absent at the skate, Burakovsky was placed on the top power play unit. Christian Djoos took Matt Niskanen’s spot on the second power play unit.
With no Backstrom at skate … Burakovsky is playing on PP1. Djoos is back on PP2 with Niskanen out.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 2, 2018
Though Backstrom didn’t skate this morning, Barry Trotz was optimistic about his chances of playing tonight.
Trotz says he’s optimistic that Backstrom will be able to play. He’s officially a game-time decision due to illness. #Caps #CapsCanes
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) January 2, 2018
CAPS TODAY
CAPS TODAY: Despite taking the second-highest percentage of face-off starts in his defensive zone in his career, John Carlson’s 31 points (4g, 27a) in 40 games are only six points shy of his 72-game total last season. https://t.co/Bw6JSPyTIl pic.twitter.com/jfl74QLDWE
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) January 2, 2018
GAME NOTES
GAME NOTES: The Capitals kick off the new year tomorrow with a matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes. https://t.co/lu3S0cq3cv pic.twitter.com/EI9A6I0bi7
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) January 1, 2018
SHAVINGS
- The Capitals are 106-74-13-14 all-time against the Hurricanes and 41-28-10-4 when facing them away.
- Over the last 20 games, the Capitals are 14-4-2 and are one of just three teams with 14 wins since November 18 (Vegas: 15; Boston: 14) through games played December 31.
- During that 20-game stretch, the Capitals have scored 64 goals and allowed 47, which is tied for eighth and ranked sixth respectively in the NHL.
- Washington has earned a point in 12 of its last 15 games against the Hurricanes (11-3-1) and has posted a 23-8-3 record against Carolina since 2010-2011.
- Alex Ovechkin has earned 80 points (33 goals, 47 assists) in 69 career games against the Hurricanes, marking the third-most points he has earned against an opponent (Winnipeg: 88, Tampa Bay: 84).
- Nicklas Backstrom has earned 53 points (14 goals, 39 assists) in 49 career games against the Hurricanes, marking the second-most points he has registered against an NHL franchise (Tampa Bay: 56 points).
- In 23 games this season against Eastern Conference opponents, the Capitals are 15-6-2 and their 32 points is tied for the second-most in the NHL.
CAPITALS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
The Metro-leading #Caps and surging #Canes get reacquainted tonight in frigid Raleigh. Cam Ward and Co. have won 4 of their last 5 and 7 of 9. Puck drops at 7 p.m. on @NBCSWashington. pic.twitter.com/QV7ZVnPf9l
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) January 2, 2018
My coffee cup was sitting here. A puck came through the netting, landed on the cup, dented the top and then bounced down to ding me on the toe. It’s going to be a good day. pic.twitter.com/1Z49yscGFx
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 2, 2018
By Michael Marzzacco
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