Since their last game, the Capitals secured a playoff spot. At this point it’s really unlikely they’ll even need a wild card spot. Tonight’s game against the formerly big bad Bruins and Saturday’s finale against the Rangers are really about vying for the home-ice advantage that being a higher seed affords.
If that makes this game less exciting for you, let me remind you that Alex Ovechkin will be playing in it.
Puck drops at 8 PM on stupid NBCSN.
| Team | Record | Possession | PDO | Power Play | Penalty Kill |
| Washington Capitals | 44-25-11 | 51.9% | 100.2 | 25.3% | 81.3% |
| Boston Bruins | 41-25-13 | 51.9% | 100.3 | 17.9% | 81.9% |
Projected Lineup
By way of Alex Prewitt, check out the rookie heat of the fourth line.
Ovechkin — Kuznetsov — Ward
Johansson — Backstrom — Brouwer
Glencross — Laich— Chimera
Burakovsky — Latta — Galiev
Orpik – Carlson
Alzner – Niskanen
Green – Gleason
Holtby
Best Thing on the Internet Today
Okay, but what about the King Clancy?
Storylines
- Stan Galiev is set to make his NHL debut, approximately 2.75 years after I gave up on him as a prospect. It’s good to be wrong. Galiev has 25 goals and 20 assists in 64 games with Hershey. I urge you to read Ian’s item about Stas; Ian’s been following the player long and closer than anyone else I know.
- JP wrote a thinkpiece on game “pace.” His thinking in it is solid, although I wanna draw a line under this: low-event games are boring. scoar moar goals. I say this selfishly, as a fan, not as an amateur and somewhat respected hockey brain.
- I have no idea if this is good math or the worst math or if this really just like free verse poetry that we’re politely calling math.
https://twitter.com/alex_prewitt/status/585848225040572416
- Jay Beagle says he’ll play in the postseason even if he’s hurt. Um.
- Tom Wilson‘s concussion tests went well. He’s still reportedly feeling groggy, but that’s very good news overall.
- Tonight, Braden Holtby is set to make his franchise-high 24th straight start. He should also face his 2000th shot of the season, which brings me to this:
A year ago, when Holtby had .917 on 3k shots: "He’s looking pretty good, & I think he can get better." Now .920 on 5k http://t.co/sBvyrvEnLK
— Peter Hassett (@peterhassett) April 7, 2015
A Song for You
The Freaking Standings
The Rangers clinched, which means the 1st wild card spot will probably get to beat up on the Habs in the first round. That team is looking to be Pittsburgh, who lost in OT to Ottawa last night. I think Pittsburgh is a lock to make the playoffs (unless Buffalo accidentally plays well against them), so the Caps matchup is most likely to be the Islanders or the Pens.
If the Pens are healthy, I think they’d be the more dangerous team and one I’d rather the Caps not face in the first round. I’d also rather not root for injuries, and I’d also also rather not see them trounce the Canadiens. I’m quite torn.
