Washington Capitals’ Game Day Skate: The Calm Before The Storm

The Washington Capitals are back in action tonight when they host the Ottawa Senators at Capital One Arena. This is the third and final meeting between the two teams this season. The Capitals shutout Ottawa 4-0 in their first meeting back on December 22 (here) and won the most recent tilt against the Senators 3-2 back on December 29 (here). Here are the news and notes from this morning’s final preparations at MedStar Capitals Iceplex.

NOTES FROM MORNING SKATE
The race is on! There are only 19 games left in the Capitals’ regular season. Tonight’s tilt against the Senators is essentially a must win. The Sens are currently last in the Atlantic Division with a record of 22-35-5 (49 points).  The Sens also spent trade deadline day trading away most of their key players as they begin to rebuild their franchise.

Lines
The Capitals will roll the same lines they used in their previous game against the New York Rangers on Sunday.

There has been plenty of debate as to why the Capitals are sitting Christian Djoos and pairing the newly acquired Nick Jensen with Brooks Orpik. This is likely the best pairing for “training the new guy” on the Capitals defensive schemes. Not a bad move to start, but Orpik is likely training his replacement.

It’s been reported by several outlets that Brooks Orpik will collect a $250,000 bonus for playing 41 games. He has played in 35 games so far this season.

POST-PRACTICE INTERVIEWS
Alex Ovechkin, Tom Wilson, Andre Burakovsky and Carl Hagelin:

Nick Jensen joins Mike Vogel

CURRENT STANDINGS
With 19 games remaining, things are tightening up in the Metropolitan division. Tonight’s game against the struggling Senators is the definition of a “trap game”, if you believe in those types of things. The Capitals will next visit the first place New York Islanders this Friday. The Islanders will host John Tavares and the Maple Leafs on Thursday night.

John Tavares will be returning to Long Island for the first time since signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Islander fans have prepared a”Dear John” video, that is not exactly extending open arms to him for his return:

The fact that the Islanders will be playing the second game of a back-to-back, and that their game the night before is against former Islander John Tavares and the Maple Leafs will certainly be a benefit for the Capitals.

SHAVINGS

  • Through 63 games this season, the Capitals have the exact same record as last season (35-21-7) through 63 games.
  • The Capitals are 49-36-5-5 all-time against the Senators.
  • Anders Nilsson will start in goal tonight against the Capitals.
  • News from the other side (Senators) is here.
  • The Capitals Game Notes are here.

By Jon Sorensen

About Jon Sorensen

Jon has been a Caps fan since day one, attending his first game at the Capital Centre in 1974. His interest in the Caps has grown over the decades and included time as a season ticket holder. He has been a journalist covering the team for 10+ years, primarily focusing on analysis, analytics and prospect development.
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1 Response to Washington Capitals’ Game Day Skate: The Calm Before The Storm

  1. Richard Bowman says:

    Good post!

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