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Caps vs Devils Pregame: Two Points, Please

By Patrick Holden

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March 26, 2015 3:27 pm

nhlstandings

The Devils, lacking a head coach but sporting Adam Oates behind the bench, will come to town tonight. So a Caps team looking to solidify their playoff position really ought to grab these two points. Remember earlier this season when Ovi scored an amazing goal against the Devils and then gave his stick to my nephew? That was cool.

The action starts at 7 PM on CSN. The Caps only have two more 7 PM starts after tonight.

Team Record Possession PDO Power Play Penalty Kill
Washington Capitals 39-24-10 52.0% 100.2 24.9% 81.2%
New Jersey Devils 31-31-11 46.9%  101.2 19.0% 80.8%

Projected Lineup

Well, these had been the lines at practice this week.

Ovechkin – Backstrom – Wilson
Laich – Fehr – Johansson
Glencross – Kuznetsov – Brouwer
Chimera – Latta – Ward

Orpik – Carlson
Alzner – Niskanen
Green – Gleason

Holtby

According to Alex Prewitt, the forward lines were different this morning.

Ovechkin – Backstrom – Johansson
Glencross – Kuznetsov – Brouwer
Chimera – Latta – Ward
Laich – Fehr – Wilson

FWIW, I prefer the first set.

Best Thing on the Internet Today

Sorry, it’s not a fun video today. Here’s an article about a European soccer team that relies heavily upon analytics. Speaking of analytics, RSVP here for the hockey analytics conference that will be held here in DC on April 11th.

Storylines

  • Barry Trotz considers this to be “the biggest game of the year,” which, umm, well, how about that Boston game in the final week?
  • The PuckBuddys compared the hockey season to The Walking Dead in their game of the week.
  • What would it take for the Caps to win the Stanley Cup? And speaking of playoffs, here’s a look at potential first-round opponents. But pump the breaks. Are the Caps even a lock to make the playoffs?
  • Roses are Red and Alex Ovechkin is awesome.
  • Get well soon, John Erskine. Getting closer, Jay Beagle. Keep getting better, B-Man.
  • What are your plans for the game tonight? I’m hoping to watch with one of my best buds, Matt, who suffered a pretty serious concussion at our adult league hockey game last night. Matt’s been to the last two RMNB parties with me. Everything seems like it will be fine long term, but it’s an awful feeling to watch one of your best bros lay unconscious on the ice for an extended period of time. He’s probably going to have to lay low for a bit, so why don’t you fine people leave him some get well wishes in the comments and I’ll show them to him. #FeelBetterBrunner.

Good Music

Here’s a Pearl Jam song about getting the heck out of New Jersey.

Full RMNB Coverage of Caps vs. Devils

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