Photo: Bruce Bennett
We’re almost to the second week of January and the top two teams in the Metro are set to clash for an important divisional match-up. Well, as important as a game can be when the first place team is 12 points ahead of the second place team.
It may have feel like the Caps results have dipped a bit lately, but the good guys are still 8-1-1 in their last 10 and continue to rack up the points at a dizzying rate.
If you believe in things like statement games, tonight might be one of those as the Caps face one of the best non-Caps teams in the conference. If you don’t believe in statement games, tonight is just a chance to put another two points in the bank.
Regardless of how you want to look at it, tonight is a chance for the Caps to keep the pedal down as they try to pull further away from the pack. Keep the car running, if you will.
The game’s on CSN tonight. Puck drops at 7 PM. Peter’s got your game coverage.
| Team | Record | Possession | PDO | Power Play | Penalty Kill |
| Washington Capitals | 29-7-3 | 51.6% | 102.1 | 25.8% | 84.2% |
| New York Islanders | 22-13-5 | 50.4% | 100.9 | 18.8% | 85.6% |
Projected Lineup
No morning skate today, but we’ll assume Michael Latta goes in for the suspended Zach Sill.
Ovechkin – Backstrom – Oshie
Burakovsky – Kuznetsov – Williams
Chimera – Johansson – Wilson
Laich – Latta – Galiev
Alzner – Niskanen
Orlov – Schmidt
Ness – Chorney
Holtby
You Knew This Was Coming
I’m not all that into the direction Arcade Fire has gone, but man, their top two albums are the dankness, as the kids say. A great live band, too.
Storylines
- The Caps agreed to terms with Mike Richards, who just so happens to be the first guy Alex Ovechkin ever dropped the mitts with. I don’t know about you guys, but I love a story with a healthy amount of redemption and resiliency. Richards has a chance to make that his story. We do not yet know when Richards will play.
- Mike Vogel spoke to Richards. I haven’t had a chance to watch this yet, but it’s Vogs so I’m sure it is great.
- John Carlson is on IR, which makes room on the active roster for Richards.
- This is the first time the Caps and Isles have met since their series last spring, and Barry Trotz is expecting a playoff-type atmosphere.
- Sill got suspended for two games and hardly anyone noticed because of all the hockey news yesterday.
- The Caps will be well represented at the All-Star Game this year.
- A certain someone leads the Caps in game winning goals. Hint: It’s Marcus Johansson.
- Hopefully y’all didn’t forget about Dre, because it looks like Burakovsky might be back. Back again.
- The Caps are good, but who else looks like a Cup contender? Our pal Ben has some ideas.
- An actual headline on NHL.com: Holtby stew gets final stir from Capitals goalie coach
- The Blue Jackets and Predators completed themselves a good ol’ fashioned blockbuster trade.
- Wyshynski has some info on how the NHL is trying to smarten itself up regarding sexual and domestic assault.
- Ron Hextall is methodically working the Flyers out of salary cap hell.
Best Thing On The Internet Today
I loved this interview with Jason Isbell. My favorite part was his quote about gratitude:
But honestly, the deeper consideration is gratitude. That’s it for me, really. That fixes almost any problem that comes up. I try to think, “Well, am I being grateful enough?”
I said this on our holiday podcast, but one thing I’m grateful for is this RMNB community. Thanks for reading, commenting, interacting, and so on. Yes, even those of you who bicker with me about Marcus Johansson ;).
What are you grateful for today?
Unclenching In Progress
Your Boy JP is beginning to unclench a bit. How about you? On a scale of 1-10, how clenched do you currently feel?
Caps six-game (yes, cherry-picked range) rolling 5v5 score-adjusted CF%. <begins to unclench a little> pic.twitter.com/ntvC6qC9Qs
— Japers' Rink (@JapersRink) January 6, 2016
Updates from Evening Media Availability
Brian MacLellan said he doesn't expect Brooks Orpik's LTIR money to be available at the trade deadline. That's fairly significant.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 7, 2016
Translation: Brooks Orpik is expected to be off LTIR by Feb. 29.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 7, 2016
Trotz says that Marcus Johansson remains 3C, and Richards will start on 4th line #Capitals
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) January 7, 2016
Trotz said Richards will practice tomorrow and they'd see where he is. Said he was willing to go to Hershey to condition.
— Ted Starkey (@TedStarkey) January 7, 2016
Trotz says Carlson is day to day and could be possible for Rangers this weekend #Capitals
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) January 7, 2016
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