The Capitals are finally back home and are hosting the Nashville Predators this evening. Both teams have clinched a playoff spot and are just trying to keep everyone healthy. Despite the earlier reports that Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin would be sitting out tonight, he is now announced in the lineup. May he be safe on the ice and score approximately four goals this evening. No more and no less.

It’s my last pregame of the regular season and I’m exhausted.

Puck drop will be at 7PM on NBCSNWA. Mr. Patrick Holden will have the recap for you.

Record	51-18-11	48-25-7
Shot Attempt %	52.6%	48.2%
PDO	101.9	101.5
Power Play	20.3%	22.4%
Penalty Kill	82.3%	80.8%

Projected Lines

Isabelle Khurshudyan, from the Washington Post, gave us some updated lines this morning. Coach Barry Trotz mentioned that he expects Jay Beagle back before the playoffs. Beagle has been out due to an upper-body injury. So, on the missing list we have Beagle, Vrana, Stephenson, Pinho, Jerabek, and Bowey.

Ovechkin – Kuznetsov – Wilson
Burakovsky – Backstrom – Oshie
Connolly – Eller – DSP
Stephenson – Boyd – Chiasson

Kempny – Carlson
Orlov – Niskanen
Orpik – Djoos

Grubauer

Goalie Interference Drama

I’m sure you’ve all seen the news now, but in case you haven’t…here’s the low down. On Tuesday night, the Predators played the Panthers. There was a last-second, game-tying goal from some guy I’ve never heard of named Filip Forsberg (sheesh). It was waived off as goalie interference and the Predators lost the game 2-1.

Nashville Predators fans were ENRAGED about this situation. Carrie Underwood even tweeted about how livid she was!!!

I am seriously livid. @NHL , fix this.

— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) April 4, 2018

But, fans decided to take it one step further and send a catfish to the Toronto office (without any ice by the way).

I just thought I would take this moment to say to Predators fans…you need to calm down. That goal waive off was no big deal and you were already in the playoffs. Take a breather. Go for a walk.

If you missed the goalie interference call, you can see here:

Apparently this is goalie interference. Filip Forsberg ties things up with 0.5 remaining and after review it gets called off after being called a good goal on the ice. #Preds pic.twitter.com/ebj9bKQwsU

— AtoZSports Nashville (@AtoZSports) April 4, 2018

Storylines

• Barry Trotz mentioned that Tom Wilson is growing as a leader. So proud of our young son, growing up right before our eyes.
• Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Grubi. Amen.
• After watching TJ Oshie put a dress shirt on, we have to know…what is the correct way to put on a button up?
• The NYC Caps Crew is doing something preeeetty awesome this weekend. You should come join the fun or donate!
• An excited Alex Ovechkin is the best version of Alex Ovechkin. Unless he’s being a scoring machine.
• Barry is droppin’ hints that Shane Gersich might possibly be a contender for the playoffs…but he ain’t playing tonight.
• “I hope it is.” –Brooks Laich on if it is the Caps’ year. Same, Brooks. Same.
• Brian Pinho was giving us all sorts of emotions when he talked about his signing with the Capitals! Grab tissues!
• The St. Louis Blues need a miracle to reach the playoffs after a DEVASTATING loss to the Chicago Blackhawks and I have to be honest. It was a delicious and bitter match full of important last minute goals and stick thrashing. I love drama when it doesn’t involve me.

When your daughter marries royalty

100% my favorite thing I have seen on the internet today has been Meghan Markle’s dad studying a picture book titled “Images of Britain”.

literally nothing is more pure than Meghan Markle’s dad doing some reading to learn more about england pic.twitter.com/6lgvHg0pHK

— Dana Schwartz (@DanaSchwartzzz) April 4, 2018

I understand most of you will not care about this, but I just love the idea of a dad in a coffee shop with this picture book thinking “Well my daughter is going to be in the British royal family…so I guess this is exactly where I should start.” Just pictures of green countryside. I love it.

A picture of the Queen in a tea shop reading a picture book titled “American Dads.”

— Meredith Haggerty (@manymanywords) April 5, 2018

Meghan Markle’s dad reading a picture book about england when his daughter is about to marry into the royal family is me cramming before an exam pic.twitter.com/Ifa1I7PKUm

— morgana ✨ (@morg1003) April 4, 2018

Full Coverage of Caps vs Preds

Headline photo: The Associated Press