From Hockey Fan Confessions, which, you guys, check that stuff out, because wow.
The Capitals lost last night, which I was surprised they were even capable of doing anymore. It was a generally good game at the Preds’ home cave, but a few bad bounces and a couple mistakes earned the team their first loss since December 23rd.
Now, on the back half of a full weekend, and playing against a quickly improving Stars team, the Caps risk doing something they’ve not done since the beginning of December: losing twice in a row.
8 PM on CSN proper. Meet you there. Bring snacks.
| Team | Record | Possession | PDO | Power Play | Penalty Kill |
| Washington Capitals | 24-12-8 | 52.1% | 100.3 | 24.6% | 79.3% |
| Dallas Stars | 19-17-7 | 51.3% | 100.3 | 14.9% | 78.9% |
Projected Lineup
Here’s how they started last night, though they shifted around during the game. Eric Fehr was out with a lower-body injury. We expect Justin Peters to get his first start since the late 80s.
Ovechkin – Backstrom – Burakovsky
Johansson – Kuznetsov – Brouwer
Laich– Latta– Ward
Chimera – Beagle – Wilson
Orpik – Carlson
Alzner – Niskanen
Hillen – Green
Peters!!!
This is What Justin Peters Looks Like
In case you forgot. He plays …[checks sources]… goalie.
Storylines
- It’s probably Kari Lehtonen in net for the Stars
- Neil Greenberg on Alex Ovechkin‘s improved defense.
- Say goodnight, probably, to Braden Holtby‘s monster streak. Your boy Adam Vingan looks back:
Holtby's 21-start/27-appearance streak is expected to end today. If so…
21 starts: 14-3-4, 2.08 GAA, .931 SV%
27 app.: 17-5-5, 2.15, .928— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) January 17, 2015
- Barry Trotz won’t bench Matt Niskanen for the Big Mistake that lost last night’s game.
- Young pre-Caps are looking pretty good on ESPN’s list of young dudes who look pretty good.
- Ovi scored two last night, and darn it, you need to re-watch them because they’re both marvelous.
What You’re Missing on TV Tonight
Blade Runner is on Cinemax at 7 PM.
A desperately underrated moved based on a short story by the most important writer of the last century, Philip K. Dick, who didn’t live to see the theatrical cut (which he might have hated…).
Harrison Ford, at his peak of sex symbolism, is a detective pursuing four fugitive androids who are plotting to prolong their lifespans in 2019 L.A.
Rutger Hauer, often accused of chewing scenery, is at his very best here, but no performances touch the craft behind this film. The costumes, the cinematography, even the score by Vangelis is top notch. Great movie.
