Photo: @Capitals
The Washington Capitals will conclude their annual Father’s Trip on Saturday night as they’ll take on Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks. Prior to the game, the team held a morning skate at United Center. The Capitals look to conclude the father’s trip on a high note after winning on Thursday night in Minnesota. Should they win over Chicago, they would finish this season out undefeated with all their dads in the stands. Since 2008, the Capitals are 13-5-0 all-time in the fathers and mentors trips. Here are the news and notes to get you geared up for tonight’s game. Puck drop is at 8:30 p.m. eastern.
THE MORNING LINES
Forwards
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Wilson
Chiasson-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Connolly-Eller-Burakovsky
Stephenson-Beagle-Smith-Pelly
Defense
Djoos-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Bowey
Starter’s net: Braden Holtby
Scratches: Jakub Vrana (F) and Taylor Chorney (D)
NEWS
Tonight, Barry Trotz will coach in his 1,500th NHL game. His long and storied coaching career began on Oct. 10, 1998 which was the first ever game for the Nashville Predators where they fell to the Florida Panthers 1-0. Most recently back on Dec. 30, Trotz earned his 737th career win which passed Lindy Ruff for fifth on the NHL’s all-time coaching wins list. Since joining the Capitals in the 2014-15 season, Trotz has posted a record of 189-80-34 with the Caps.
1️⃣5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ @NHL Game Tonight! Congrats, Coach Trotz! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/LEOrB6uinG
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 17, 2018
The lines this morning were the same as practice on Friday afternoon. Trotz wants to play every player during the two-game stretch with their dads in the stands. For the forwards, Alex Chiasson will be in on the second line for Jakub Vrana.
Trotz said scratching Vrana is just related to the dads’ trip and making sure everybody plays. “Low man on the totem poll,” he said of Vrana. Thinks his game is coming around, but still missing production.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 17, 2018
On the defense Madison Bowey will be in for Taylor Chorney, who got to play in the previous game at his hometown of Minnesota on Thursday night. Chorney grew up in nearby Hastings.
Braden Holtby will go up against Anton Forsberg in the goaltending matchup. Holtby carries a 28-10-4 record with a 2.82 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage. In his career against the Blackhawks, Holtby is 7-2-0 with a 2.21 GAA and .930 save percentage. Forsberg is 5-11-3 on the season with a 3.06 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.
From the national anthem, to the drop of the puck, to the 60-minutes of action, tonight’s atmosphere at United Center is sure to be electric. When Trotz spoke with the media, he acknowledged how loud Blackhawks fans are.
“Have you heard the crowd? Have you heard the national anthem. I’ve spent many nights in here feeling like I was under water. They come at you hard, they’ve got a lot of energy on a Saturday here and it’s a fantastic building to play in,” said Trotz.
It’ll be a tough road environment but with their fathers in the stands cheering them on, the Caps should feel right at home.
CAPS TODAY
CAPS TODAY: Tonight, Barry Trotz will coach his 1,500th career game, the fifth coach to ever reach the mark. He and the Capitals take on the Chicago Blackhawks at 8:30 ET this evening. https://t.co/dj5HZMcVEf pic.twitter.com/1HEVkkVfc3
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) February 17, 2018
GAME NOTES
GAME NOTES: Washington takes on the Chicago Blackhawks tomorrow night, looking to improve on their 13-5-0 all-time mentors trip record. https://t.co/siNeZdFbJo pic.twitter.com/HGUXJKjdKu
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) February 17, 2018
SHAVINGS
- Washington is 43-41-11-1 all-time against Chicago.
- The Capitals have won seven of their last eight meetings with the Blackhawks.
- Washington has posted a 10-3-0 record in their last 13 games against Chicago.
- Alex Ovechkin has tallied 17 points (9 goals, 8 assists) in 15 career games against the Blackhawks and has earned 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists) in his last 10 games vs. Chicago.
- Nicklas Backstrom has 12 points (5 goals, 8 assists) in 11 games against Chicago.
- John Carlson has seven points (1 goal, 6 assist) in 11 games.
- Jay Beagle has six goals in nine games against the Blackhawks which is the most goals he’s scored against a single franchise.
- Andre Burakovsky is on a two-game point streak (2 goals, 1 assist). This season, Burakovsky’s 12.5 shooting percentage is 1.7 percent greater than his shooting percentage last season.
CAPITALS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
I asked Lars Eller’s dad if he saw his son’s breakout season coming. “I could see in the summer that he really wanted to take another step,” said Olaf Eller, who is Denmark’s national junior team coach. Interesting insight from Mr. Eller. #Caps pic.twitter.com/oyTp6yK4lt
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) February 17, 2018
Ah, the United Center. One of my favorite places to watch a game, especially on a Saturday night. #CapsHawks coming at you on @NBCSWashington at 8:30. pic.twitter.com/ztRCTdA10j
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) February 17, 2018
Stretch it out! @TJOshie77 leads em. See you tonight for an 8:30 puck drop. #CapsHawks #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/NSHCOgIWHE
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 17, 2018
“Hey, No. 43, can you sign my hat?” — a peewee hockey fan to Tom Wilson, who obliged anyway. #Caps pic.twitter.com/Kbn0Q90KuZ
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) February 17, 2018
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
