The Capitals are currently embarking on a 5-game road trip that spans across multiple time zones.  After breezing through Chicago and Calgary with victories, they will face Edmonton and Vancouver on back-to-back nights.  Both Pacific Division clubs are performing well early in the season.  How do the Washington Capitals stack up against the Vancouver Canucks?  Have plenty of coffee handy, as puck drop is on Friday evening at 10 PM ET on NBC Sports Washington +.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS

If one takes a peak at the NHL individual statistics right now, one will find John Carlson’s name at the top of the list.  Through his first 11 games, Carlson is rolling with 5 goals and 20 points.

Carlson recorded a career-high 70 points a season ago, and needs just 8 more goals to tie his 13-goal mark from last season.  If Carlson keeps at his current pace, he should be in line for another NHL All-Star Game, and could be in contention for the NHL’s Norris Trophy at season’s end.

Another Capital that is playing at an extremely high level right now is T.J. Oshie.  He is keeping pace with Ovechkin in scoring goals.  Oshie is making plays all over the ice, and he looks fully recovered from his brutal injury from the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs.  Oshie is one of the Capitals most versatile players, as he contributes in all aspects of the game.  When it comes to hustle and determination and a winning mentality, Oshie brings his A game to the rink every single night.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

The Canucks are having a good October so far.  They are returning from a four-game road trip out East, where they went 3-1 on the trip.  Their biggest win of the trip was a 4-3 shootout win in St. Louis last Thursday.

The Canucks made some significant chances in the summer.  They acquired forward J.T. Miller in a big trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and added free-agent defenseman Tyler Myers from the Winnipeg Jets.

Both moves have given them additional depth that they did not have a season ago.  The Canucks are trying to mix their young crop of players with some quality veterans in hopes of a return to the postseason.

Bo Horvat, who was named the 14^th Captain in Canucks history on October 9, is coming off a hat-trick performance against Detroit last Tuesday.  He has recorded four goals in his last two games.

SKATE SHAVINGS

-The Canucks and Capitals last met in Vancouver on October 22, 2018.  The Capitals were victorious 5-2, as Alex Ovechkin recorded 2 goals in that contest.

-The Canucks and Capitals last met in Washington on February 5.  The Capitals defeated the Canucks in D.C. 3-2, as T.J. Oshie and Jakub Vrana both tallied goals in that game.

-This will be the 98^th all-time meeting between these two franchises.

By: George Foussekis