The Capitals are back in New York City to face the Rangers and hopefully this game will end differently than the last one did. The Capitals have placed Riley Barber and Jakub Vrana in the lineup for tonight while TJ Oshie and Brooks Orpik sit out.
On the Rangers side, Dan Girardi will be out for the next two weeks after he blocked a shot with his ankle. According to Dan Rosen, Girardi’s open ankle wound has not been healing properly.
The battle tonight will be quite heated after the Capitals acquired defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, despite rumors about the possibility of Shattenkirk landing with the Rangers. Needless to say, Rangers fans aren’t exactly thrilled with the outcome. Instead, they will have to settle for defenseman Brendan Smith from the Red Wings. Not a bad pick-up, but the Capitals are the clear trade deadline winners…so far.
Puck drop at 7 PM on CSN.
| Team | Record | SA% | PDO | Power Play | Penalty Kill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Capitals | 41-13-7 | 52.5% | 103.7 | 21.8% | 83.8% |
| New York Rangers | 40-20-2 | 48.2% | 102.2 | 18.9% | 81.2% |
Projected Lines
Buckle up, everyone, we have ourselves a first line Tom Wilson. Which is worth a shot.
Ovechkin – Backstrom – Wilson
Johansson – Kuznetsov – Williams
Connolly – Eller – Vrana
Winnik – Beagle – Barber
Alzner – Carlson
Orlov – Niskanen
Schmidt – Shattenkirk
Holtby
Storylines
- Is it time for the Capitals to win it all? After that deal last night, Dan Rosen thinks yes.
- MUMP CITY: The Vancouver Canucks have been battling the mumps and now they have officially spread to the Minnesota Wild.
- This Caps beard has to be one of the most intense things Caps fans have ever seen.
- Get your oven mitts out, the Caps Cookbook will be released on March 4.
- TJ Oshie is very excited to be reunited with Shattenkirk.
- It’s time to face the facts, everyone. Alex Ovechkin is getting old.
- Want another reason to be pumped about the Kevin Shattenkirk deal? He is a top-pairing defenseman.
- The only thing about the Shattenkirk deal that might be a little awkward is that he’s got some interesting history with Justin Williams.
- Actually, maybe it WON’T be so awkward:
-
Justin Williams on Kevin Shattenkirk and how he’s not one of those ‘offensive defensemen’ #Capitals #Blues #NHL pic.twitter.com/Pxh0U8LLIN
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) February 28, 2017
- Mark your calendars for March 2 when the Caps will have Military Night and wear these SWEET jerseys during warm-ups.
- Some of the Capitals took their day off to see the sites in New York City…and use the Panda filter on Snapchat.
- Need a hockey fight in your life right now? Check this one out involving the Chicago Wolves and Iowa Wild. Spoiler alert: it ends in a knockout.
- Nate Schmidt will probably be out of the lineup due to the newest addition to the roster.
- Former Capitals forward Eric Fehr has officially been placed on waivers.
Shattenkirk Hype
The best thing to come out of trades during the deadline are the twitter reactions. Here are some of the best tweets after the Shattenkirk deal was announced.
caps gm – great deal nice doing buisness
Stl gm wait……but you dont even have a 2018 2nd rou……caps gm pic.twitter.com/AVVY28iipx
— Tony X. (@soIoucity) February 28, 2017
If Shattenkirk solves the Riddle Of The Five Wizards or slays 50 percent of the magic dragons, the 2019 second-round pick becomes a potion
— Dumb Bozo (@davelozo) February 28, 2017
Blues: “Get everything you can for Shattenkirk”
Inner Blues: “Take two picks and a rookie forward” pic.twitter.com/li3zgwG3iw
— Kyle Mace (@kyle_mace) February 28, 2017
The St. Louis Blues tomorrow pic.twitter.com/ETEwwn9n9H
— Ryan Deem (@Ryan_Deem) February 28, 2017
“Shattenkirk has been traded to the Capitals” pic.twitter.com/dfj3lRSaqk
— ️ (@NYRangers2716) February 28, 2017
Kirk Cousins
Also, Kirk Cousins got a franchise tag. If anyone cares.
Tag! I’m it!
— Kirk Cousins (@KirkCousins8) February 28, 2017
Full Coverage of Caps at Rangers
Headline image: USATSI
