The Capitals are hosting the Calgary Flames tonight, who are hungry for a playoff spot (can’t relate). They’re also red-hot, having won 12 of their last 13. Goaltender Brian Elliott has 11 straight wins to his name.
Tonight’s match-up is the first of a three-game homestand for the Caps. With the roster intact and a trip to the postseason officially in the books, Barry Trotz has yet to alter his lines. Yes, that means the continued presence of Nate Schmidt in the press box.
Puck drop is at 7PM on CSN.
| Team | Record | SA% | PDO | Power Play | Penalty Kill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Capitals | 46-17-8 | 52.7% | 103.4 | 21.4% (8th) | 83.7% (8th) |
| Calgary Flames | 41-27-4 | 50.7% | 99.8 | 19.6% (14th) | 81.3% (13th) |
Projected Lines
Nothing new to see here.
Ovechkin – Backstrom – Oshie
Johansson – Kuznetsov – Williams
Connolly – Eller – Burakovsky
Winnik – Beagle – Wilson
Alzner – Carlson
Orlov – Niskanen
Orpik – Shattenkirk
Holtby
Congrats, Ian and Ashley!
If you hadn’t heard, Ian and Ashley welcomed a super adorable, precious baby boy into the world yesterday. (Guess who his namesake is) All the best.
My wife just gave birth to a baby boy, Ethan Wesley Oland, who we named after @WesJohnsonVoice 👶🏻 https://t.co/qAuvM7NqCi pic.twitter.com/BzXNKjAI6X
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) March 20, 2017
Storylines
- Like the rest of us, TJ Oshie’s given some thought to his impending free-agent status.
- Plus, Oshie’s been fantastic for the top line, but will the Caps be able to re-sign him?
- Remember Pheonix Copley? He’s back and might stick around.
- Flames rookie Matthew Tkachuk has been suspended for elbowing Drew Doughty.
- Calgary is also missing Micheal Ferland, who may or may not have mumps.
- The Flames’ 5-2 rout of the Kings has them one step closer to the playoffs.
- RMNB’s Amanda Bowen had a close call with a puck while shooting a Red Wings game–and still took amazing photos.
- Tom Wilson is still salty about the 2016 (bobblehead) election.
- Saturday night was all right for hat tricks in the Caps organization.
- Don’t miss your last chance to get our sweet I’m With Holtby shirt!
Barry Trotz on Recalling Players
Trotz was asked about considering Hershey’s playoff race when recalling a 13th forward. Said Bears are in a development league, so …
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) March 21, 2017
If Hershey’s low on centers, then maybe Trotz recalls a winger. But for most part, Caps prioritize themselves when making these decisions.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) March 21, 2017
Trotz: “We’re in the winning business. They’re in the development business. … We do take it into consideration, but it’s our needs first.”
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) March 21, 2017
Full Coverage of Caps vs Flames
Photo: Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images
