Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom haven’t played together all year, but that’s apparently going to change tonight.
After spending the last two days explaining why he wasn’t putting the longtime linemates back together, Trotz, inexplicably, reunited Ovechkin and Backstrom before the game. Tom Wilson will complete the trio.
The Capitals’ Mike Vogel has the full lines.
#Caps lines tonight vs. Sens:
8-Ovechkin, 19-Backstrom, 43-Wilson
13-Vrana, 92-Kuznetsov, 77-Oshie
10-Connolly, 20-Eller, 25-Smith-Pelly
18-Stephenson, 83-Beagle, 39-ChiassonDefensemen
44-Orpik, 74-Carlson
9-Orlov, 2-Niskanen
4-Chorney, 22-BoweyHoltby vs. Anderson #CapsSens
— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) November 22, 2017
Ovechkin and Backstrom have cooled off recently since starting the season hot.
Your leading five-on-five goal-scorer over the past 12 games (when DSP first joined Ovechkin/Kuznetsov) is Lars Eller with three.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) November 21, 2017
The line of Ovechkin/Kuznetsov/Smith-Pelly doesn't have an even-strength point in six games. Backstrom has four points in his past 15 games with no goals. Oshie has one goal and four assists at even strength in past 17.
Perhaps the current top six is not working …
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) November 21, 2017
But much of that appears to be due to the team’s defense, including the overuse of 37-year-old defenseman Brooks Orpik.
Ovi/Kuzy/DSP has played half of the last 6 games with Brooks Orpik (32 minutes with, 34 without). 39.1% of shots and 89.5 sv% with him (2 goals against). 55.9% of shots and 100 sv% without him. https://t.co/YYytnpkgua
— Peter Hassett (@peterhassett) November 21, 2017
Shot attempts and goals for Caps forwards when Orpik is on the bench. pic.twitter.com/xJMv4nagVA
— Peter Hassett (@peterhassett) November 21, 2017
Let’s hope this is the spark the Caps need.
Welcome back, #FirstLineOvi pic.twitter.com/svn4n09D9U
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) November 23, 2017
Full Coverage of Caps vs Senators
Headline photo: @Capitals
