The Washington Capitals made their way from Vancouver, Canada to Seattle, Washington following their 5-1 win over the Canucks on Tuesday night. They face the Kraken tonight with Puck drop is set for 10PM ET. (PREVIEW).
The team held their gameday morning skate at Climate Pledge Arena on Thursday at 11:30AM local time. The forward lines and defensive pairs per Samantha Pell/Washington Post:
Alex Ovechkin — Dylan Strome — Conor Sheary
Sonny Milano— Evgeny Kuznetsov — T.J. Oshie
Marcus Johansson — Lars Eller — Anthony Mantha
Aliaksei Protas — Nic Dowd — Garnet Hathaway
Erik Gustafsson — John Carlson
Martin Fehervary — Nick Jensen
Matt Irwin — Trevor van Riemsdyk
Darcy Kuemper
Charlie Lindgren
Dmitry Orlov participated in morning skate as an extra (with Alex Alexeyev). Orlov has been out since being injured on Nov. 5 (11 games). Orlov didn’t travel with the team to New Jersey/Vancouver. This is the first game on the road trip he’ll be present for. The Capitals will need to make a roster move when he officially returns.
Extras: Dmitry Orlov, Joe Snively, Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Alex Alexeyev
Injuries: Tom Wilson (ACL), Nicklas Backstrom (hip), Carl Hagelin (hip), Connor Brown, Beck Malenstyn (finger).
THE KRAKEN
The Capitals make their second-ever visit to Climate Pledge Arena tonight when they face the Seattle Kraken at 7 p.m. PT. Washington 1-1-0 all-time versus Seattle and have a record of 5-0-1 against Pacific Division opponents this season. The basic stats heading into tonight’s tilt:
This is not a your last season’s Kraken, at least thru first quarter of season, as they are averaging nearly four goals a game. They are vulnerable on the penalty kill (30th in NHL) and in faceoffs (31st in NHL).
The Kraken have a large advantage in HDGF%, but #Caps are rebounding from a poor start in the high-danger area. Same for xGF%.
STAT OF THE DAY – ON THE RISE
Today’s stat presents the Capitals expected goals for percentage (xGF%) for each game so far this season. [Click to enlarge].
Since 11/1 (Vegas) the Capitals have an xGF% of 52.66% (over the last 13 games). They have an xGF% of 55.87% over last seven games. (Reminder that anything over 50% is good.
Philipp Grubauer first off ice for #SEAKraken this morning, as expected. #Kraken #NHL pic.twitter.com/vBdx3rplS8
— Geoff Baker (@GeoffBakerTIMES) December 1, 2022
[The statistics used in this post are courtesy of Natural Stat Trick. If you’d like to learn more about the statistical terms used in this post, please check out our NHL Analytics Glossary.]
BONUS STAT – THE BEST AT BEING DOGS
Today’s bonus stat is provided by StatMuse. According to their site the Capitals have the best record for underdogs since the 20172018 season.
DOWN ON THE FARM
Connor McMichael scored his second goal with the Bears since his return to the AHL. It came on the power play.
Connor McMichael with his second for the Bears, a PPG. #Bears lead 2-1. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/qmoGtutRnH
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) December 1, 2022
For what it’s worth, McMichael is playing on the first power play unit while Hendrix Lapierre is playing on the second unit. Having said that, both units are relatively stacked with talent, and Bears head coach Todd Nelson started the second unit on one power play last night.
Hendrix Lapierre scored his 5th goal of the season last night in the Bears 4-2 win over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Henrik to Hendrix. Hendrix Lapierre with his 5th goal of the season. Bear lead 1-0. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/cChNBYKUJX
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) December 1, 2022
Lapierre has five goals and nine assists for 14 points, which is currently tied with Mason Morelli for the team lead in points.
Alexander Suzdalev recorded two goals, including the overtime game-winner, on Tuesday night. Suzdalev’s first tally of the night came in the third period.
Alexander Suzdalev with his 13th goal of the season. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/7IhlIEfq17
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 30, 2022
Suzdalev’s second tally of the night was the overtime game-winner. He received the setup feed from Connor Bedard and hammered a one-timer.
Alexander Suzdalev drops the hammer in overtime. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/8Bg4jy0DnU
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 30, 2022
Suzdalev added another power play goal on Wednesday night in Kamloops against the Blazers.
Alexander Suzdalev picks the corner for his 15th of the season. PPG. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/VYgGsSIuGl
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) December 1, 2022
Suzdalev now has 15 goals and 15 assist in 24 games played so far this season. He is expected to depart Regina in the coming days in order to join Team Sweden in their preparations for the upcoming 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship beginning in late December. The 47th edition of the Championship is scheduled to be held from December 26, 2022 through January 5, 2023 in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.
By Jon Sorensen
So who departs when Orlov returns?
It’s going to get interesting here shortly.
Irwin
Irwin
I get what your saying. But Lavi LOVES Irwin. Had him in Nashville, brought him here, just raved about him in presser this week. I don’t see him going anywhere. Not that i agree. He just seems to be Lavi’s guy.
I I agree. I don’t see it, don’t think it’s the right move, but it’s what will happen because of what you said. If by some odd chance they try and waive Alexeyev to get him playing time in Hershey, and they lose him to waivers, there will be rioting in the streets. See Jonas Siegenthaler for affects of veterans over youth. We’ve learned from this.
Good to see Orly again. Hard to believe we’ve made this recent resurgence without him.
We’re getting the band back together!