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.
Caps expected lineup:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Vrana-Backstrom-Oshie
Burakovsky-Eller-Connolly
Hagelin-Dowd-BoydKempny-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Jensen— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 26, 2019
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.
Todd Reirden just said Jensen will skate with Orpik on the third pairing again tonight vs Ottawa, “and then we’ll go from there.” Didn’t answer whether there will eventually be a rotation with Djoos on that pair. #Caps
— Adam Zielonka (@Adam_Zielonka) February 26, 2019
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:
Alex Ovechkin, Tom Wilson, Andre Burakovsky and Carl Hagelin meet with the media prior to #CapsSens. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/rt9WtrEohn
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 26, 2019
Nick Jensen joins Mike Vogel
Nick Jensen gives first impressions of his new home in the DMV area #CapsSens #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/kiOLWlQl16
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 26, 2019
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
Good post!