The Capitals held their third game-day morning skate of the season on Monday in advance of their tilt with the Vancouver Canucks on Monday night. Center Evgeny Kuznetsov did not participate in the morning skate, and will be a game-time decision tonight.
Evgeny Kuznetsov won’t skate this morning due to an undisclosed injury and will be a game-time decision for tonight’s game against the Canucks, per a Capitals spokesperson.
— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) October 17, 2022
Kuznetsov was relegated to the second line for the third game of the season against the Montreal Canadiens. He has one assist in three games played so far this season.
LINES AND PAIRS AT MORNING SKATE
As a result of Kuznetsov’s absence, the lines saw minor changes at this morning’s skate. Connor McMichael stepped in at center for the second line.
Alex Ovechkin – Dylan Strome – Connor Brown
Anthony Mantha – Connor McMichael – T.J. Oshie
Marcus Johansson – Lars Eller – Aliaksei Protas
Conor Sheary- Nic Dowd- Garnet Hathaway
Martin Fehervary – John Carlson
Dmitry Orlov – Nick Jensen
Erik Gustafsson – Trevor van Riemsdyk
Darcy Kuemper
Charlie Lindgren
Darcy Kuemper will make his third start for the Capitals tonight. Kuemper is 1-1-0 with a .902 save percentage and a 2.55 goals against average in his first two games played for the Capitals.
Darcy Kuemper appears to be the Capitals’ starter in net tonight after being the first goalie off the ice in morning skate.
— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) October 17, 2022
GET ON THE GUS BUS
The Capitals added Erik Gustafsson to the blueline over the past off-season to replace the departed (and expensive) Justin Schultz. After three games it’s looking like the move could be a winner, as the pairing of Gustafsson and Trevor van Riemsdyk has got off to a very good start this season. Gustafsson has two assists and currently leads the team in expected goals differential (xGF – xGA).
CHUCKING THE ‘NUCKS
The Capitals host the Vancouver Canucks tonight at Capital One Arena for the first of two meetings between the teams this season. Washington is 49-41-9-2 all-time vs. Vancouver and 10-5-1 in their last 16 games against the Canucks dating back to the 2013-14 season.
Forward Evgeny Kuznetsov has recorded 21 points (10g, 11a) in 15 career games against Vancouver, including five points (3g, 2a) in two games last season.
In 19 career games against the Canucks, goaltender Darcy Kuemper has a record of 11-6-1 with a 2.23 goals-against average and .924 save percentage.
SHAVINGS
- Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau is looking for his 600th career win as an NHL head coach tonight in Washington.
- Capitals-Canucks Game Notes
- Hendrix Lapierre records first career AHL goal.
- Capitals prospect Ryan Hofer continues goal-scoring rampage.
By Jon Sorensen