The Washington Capitals had the morning off following last night’s 2-0 blanking of the Red Wings in Detroit. Head coach Peter Laviolette met with the media prior to the Capitals game against the Blue Jackets tonight and said Ilya Samsonov will get the start in goal.

Laviolette said there’s not a lingering concern with Vitek Vanecek. He said he had a good day today, “positive sign” that he got work in the room and on the ice.

“All things are good.” https://t.co/s9k3k2lggf

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) November 12, 2021

Samsonov is 3-0-0-1 with a 2.91 GAA and a .893 save percentage so far this season. Backup Joonas Korpisalo (2-2-0, 3.43 GAA, .905 sv%) will get the start in goal for the Blue Jackets.

The Capitals face the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight for the first time this season. This marks Washington’s first game against Columbus since Dec. 27, 2019 – a 2-1 overtime win at Capital One Arena.

Alex Ovechkin has recorded 28 points (18g, 10a) in 37 career games against Columbus. Since the Capitals and Blue Jackets joined the Metropolitan Division in the 2013-14 season, Ovechkin’s 12 goals are tied for the fourth-most against Columbus during that span.

Head coach Peter Laviolette gives his thoughts on the contributions of the rookies as of late, as well as building off the strong defensive effort last time out in tonight’s game against Columbus.#CapsJackets | @socios pic.twitter.com/8N2gXsyJ6m

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 12, 2021

Tonight’s game marks the tail end of a back-to-back for the Caps, who shut out Detroit 2-0 last night at Little Caesars Arena. This is the first set of 13 back-to-backs Washington will face this season.

By Jon Sorensen