The Caps and Blue Jackets played on Tuesday in Columbus. In a weird scheduling quirk, they are playing again 72 hours later in DC with neither team having played in between. Bring your ponchos because we’re on the back nine of a week of Torts hockey.

Not to be confused with Torts hockey is the return of Trotz hockey. That is, Capitals head coach Barry Trotz has removed young and talented but underachieving Andre Burakovsky from the lineup in favor of an inferior hockey player named Alex Chiasson.

The game starts at 7 PM on NBCSW. Outstanding human being Peter will have your recap.

Record	27-22-4	31-17-5
Shot Attempt %	50.9%	48.4%
PDO	99.8	102.1
Power Play	14.1%	20.7%
Penalty Kill	75.2%	79.0%

Projected Lines

Third line winger Alex Chiasson. That is all.

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

Orlov – Niskanen
Djoos – Carlson
Orpik – Bowey

Holtby

Rangers Rebuild

The New York Rangers released a statement yesterday explaining to their fans that they’ve decided to enter something of a rebuild phase. It’s interesting and refreshing to see a team just three points out of a playoff spot acknowledge that the best course of action is to punt on this season in hopes of better seasons ahead.

A Message from Glen Sather and Jeff Gorton. pic.twitter.com/Q56CXS8vDc

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 8, 2018

Hot take: If I’m Brian MacLellan, there isn’t a combo of draft picks and prospects I wouldn’t give up to acquire Ryan McDonagh and Michael Grabner.

Storylines

• Ex-Cap on ex-Cap crime.
• Peter says this is the last time he’ll write about shot quality. Spoiler alert: it won’t be.
• Braden Holtby is the victim of a weaker roster around him this season.
• Graham is calling BS on this KHL charity event.
• Please put the voices of Peter and Ian in your ear holes.
• Capital One Arena is getting some upgrades this summer. Two thoughts: I’m glad this isn’t being done with public money and I wish the new seats came with an eject button for leaners in the 400-level.
• The maker of this t-shirt really wants Nathan Walker on the Caps roster.
• The Caps are struggling to score the first goal, but remember that the second goal is as important as the first goal.
• The UAE Women’s National Hockey Team visited the Caps and showed us that dreams come true!

Pay Attention, Grace!

Honestly, this is the worst game of tic-tac-toe I’ve ever seen played and neither contestant deserved to win

Ladies and Gentlemen: the most maddening game of tic tac toe you will ever watch, set to the tune of Yakety Sax pic.twitter.com/tS8Z9FTv04

— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) February 9, 2018

Full RMNB Coverage of Caps vs Blue Jackets

Headline image: Cara Bahniuk