That whole “put a streak together” thing that I spoke about the Caps doing in the last pregame did not go to plan. The Caps have, multiple times now, put together a complete effort and then immediately fallen on their faces for a couple games after. It’s the Ottawa Senators in town this time to see if the Caps have what it takes to bounce back once more and hopefully string together a few consistently good performances.

The battle between two of North America’s capital cities starts at 7PM on NBCSWA. I have your recap.

Record	8-5-6	11-10-1
Shot Attempt %	48.2%	47.5%
PDO	99.5	100.9
Power Play	17.6%	20.0%
Penalty Kill	80.0%	76.7%

Projected Lines

We still have no changes. I don’t think I can shrug any harder. As always per Isabelle:

Stephenson – Backstrom – Oshie
Ovechkin – Kuznetsov – DSP
Vrana – Eller – Wilson
Connolly – Beagle – Chiasson

Orlov – Niskanen
Orpik – Carlson
Chorney – Bowey

Holtby

Ovechkin and Backstrom

Asked Trotz why the hesitation to reunite Ovechkin and Backstrom. Said there isn't any. So, why hasn't he done it?

"Just don't feel like it."

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) November 21, 2017

You want Ovi and Nicky back together? Well, you’re going to need to catch coach Trotz in a different mood apparently.

Storylines

• “Alex Ovechkin is a difficult player to play with.”
• Cara visited PNC Arena to take in a Carolina Hurricanes game and she has the scoop you need if you plan on visiting too.
• Brooks Orpik helped break a dude’s arm with a massive open-ice check in Colorado. Said dude, Vladislav Kamenev, posted a photo from the hospital where he had surgery on that broken arm.
• Jordie Benn checked his brother Jamie Benn into the boards after a whistle with the Benn parents in attendance. This is definitely something I would do to both of my little brothers.
• Some numbers from the Caps disappointing performance against the Calgary Flames.
• The San Jose Sharks used the MARTA bus that got in the way of the Weather Channel’s shot of the imploding Georgia Dome to block a replay of one of Joonas Donskoi‘s goals Tuesday night.
• Surprise, surprise. Jaromir Jagr is a freak of nature.
• The Capitals top six is struggling to find points and Barry Trotz is reluctant to reunite his two superstars.

Why I watch wrestling

As you probably know by now, I watch professional wrestling. Here’s a video outlining some of the reasons why WWE programs are really no different than any other dramatic TV show out there. You’ll probably recognize more than a few faces in this not exactly G rated video.

Full Coverage of Caps vs Senators