Photo: Capitals
The Washington Capitals wrap up a two-game road trip and their annual Mentors’ Trip with a Monday night tilt against the Columbus Blue Jackets (7:00 P.M. on NBC Sports Washington). Here is the latest from morning skate at Nationwide Arena.
Capitals
Forward Nic Dowd is out tonight while forward Travis Boyd will draw into the lineup as the fourth center. Teams try to get everyone in the lineup during the Dads’ Trip. Head Coach Todd Reirden commented on how well Boyd has played. He also hinted there could be some minor in-game changes to the lines.
Goaltender Braden Holtby is expected to start.
Capitals expected lines vs Blue Jackets:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Wilson
Vrana-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Hagelin-Eller-Panik
Leipsic-Boyd-HathawayKempny-Carlson
Orlov-Jensen
Siegenthaler-GudasHoltby
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) December 16, 2019
Reirden confirms that he wanted to get Boyd in bc of the dads’ trip, acknowledged he played well. Reiterated he has been happy with the fourth line, but wanted to give Boyd this opportunity.
Hinted there might be some in-game tweaks to lines as well w/ Boyd
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) December 16, 2019
Hello Lumbus 👋 pic.twitter.com/RzaIrKR9qt
— Washington ☃️ Capitals (@Capitals) December 16, 2019
Blue Jackets
Head Coach John Tortorella spoke to the media this morning ahead of tonight’s division matchup. Due to injuries, he announced they will be without forwards Josh Anderson and Sonny Milano and defenseman Ryan Murray.
John Tortorella Pregame Press Conference https://t.co/hBhhdMmV7i
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) December 16, 2019
The Blue Jackets have placed the following players on injured reserve: forwards Emil Bemstrom, Brandon Dubinsky, and Kole Sherwood, and defenseman Markus Nutivaara. The team recalled forwards Marko Dano and Kevin Stenlund from the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters. Defenseman Scott Harrington will draw in for Murray.
Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo will get the start tonight for Columbus.
#CBJ recalled players Kevin Stenlund and Marko Dano will both draw in tonight vs. #ALLCAPS. Tortorella said Stenlund will get power play time. Josh Anderson, Sonny Milano and Ryan Murray all out, though club doesn’t yet have timeline.
Scott Harrington draws in for Murray.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) December 16, 2019
Capitals Today
CAPS TODAY: With 15 wins in their first 18 road games, the Capitals tied the NHL record for fewest games to 15 road wins in a season, matching the 2006-07 Buffalo Sabres (15-3-0). More info on https://t.co/HecIC0ECg1 pic.twitter.com/Gv6L60AoDD
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) December 16, 2019
Essential Links
The Capitals Leadership Group Is Paving the Way For Another Postseason Run (NoVa Caps)
USA Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (Washington Capitals)
After A 5-2 Victory In Tampa Bay, The Capitals’ Ohashi Pushup Tradition Returned (NoVa Caps)
Now Is The Time For The Capitals To Give Ilya Samsonov More Starts (NoVa Caps)
Capitals’ annual fathers’ trip brings fond memories, rare bonding time (Washington Post)
By Della Young
Get ‘em Boyder!