In their first game back at Capital One Arena since winning the Stanley Cup, the Capitals will take on the Boston Bruins for their second preseason game.
Braden Holtby will get his first start in net, Ilya Samsonov will come in for relief duties, and TJ Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom start on the top line featuring Axel Jonsson-Fjällby, who’s looking to make the team out of camp.
Lineup for tonight's first home matchup of the preseason #ALLCAPS #CapsBruins
Preview: https://t.co/jO7IcdbSxP pic.twitter.com/zKrV7rAj88
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 18, 2018
The squad took to the ice for their first morning skate of the season.
Mornin' Osh' pic.twitter.com/3Z5PuPGOER
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 18, 2018
First morning skate of the season 😄 #ALLCAPS #CapsBruins pic.twitter.com/WXiAc8hnjG
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 18, 2018
Based on Mike Vogel’s pregame story, this game will be the first of three in four nights for the Caps.
More from the Capitals’ pregame notes:
HOME SWEET HOME – The Capitals host the Boston Bruins on Tuesday in the preseason home opener at Capital One Arena. This is Washington’s second of seven preseason games in total and the first of three home games. Since 2011-12, the Capitals are 14-4-3 at home in preseason games.
STANLEY CAPS – Five players who appeared in the Stanley Cup-clinching Game 5 win will appear in this game. Nicklas Backstrom recorded seven points (1g, 6a) during the Stanley Cup Final, which was the second-highest point total during the Final. T.J. Oshie recorded three points in Game 4 (1g, 2a). Matt Niskanen and Dmitry Orlov ranked first and third, respectively, on the Caps in time on ice (Niskanen: 24:53; Orlov: 22:57). Braden Holtby recorded a 2.16 goals against average and a .922 save percentage during the playoffs, and his 16 wins are a franchise record.
BRUISING THE BRUINS – During the regular season, the Capitals have won 12 consecutive games against the Bruins in the regular season (10/11/14-12/28/17), marking their longest winning streak against Boston in franchise history (157 GP). The Caps are the only team in the NHL to record 10 or more consecutive wins against a single opponent over the last four seasons in the NHL. Washington has outscored the Bruins 41-19 during its winning streak.
MANNING THE NET – Braden Holtby is scheduled to start in net, while Ilya Samsonov will serve as the backup. Last season at home, Holtby went 22-7-2, tied for the fifth-most home wins in the NHL, and he recorded a 2.41 goals against average and a .921 save percentage. Over the last four seasons, Holtby has 94 wins, which ranks first in the NHL. During that span, his 2.07 goals against average ranks first, while his .926 save percentage is tied for second. Samsonov posted a 12-9-1 record with a 2.31 goals against average and a .926 save percentage in 26 regular season games and a 1-2 record with a 2.30 goals against average and a .913 save percentage in five playoff games with Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL) last season. The Magnitogorsk, Russia, native was ranked as the top European goaltender by NHL Central Scouting prior to the 2015 NHL Draft.
HOME GROWN – In total, 14 players selected by Washington in the NHL draft are in the lineup for Washington on Sunday, including 2016 first round draft pick Lucas Johansen. Johansen tallied 27 points (6g, 21a) in 74 games with the Hershey Bears (AHL) in 2017-18. The 6’2”, 187-pound defensemen tied for first among Hershey defensemen in goals and power play goals (2) and second in assists and points last season.
FORMER BRUINS – Assistant coach Scott Arniel have played for the Bruins. Arniel, 55, joins Washington after spending the past five seasons as an associate coach with the New York Rangers. Arniel brings more than 15 years of professional coaching experience, which includes serving as head coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2010-12. In addition, the Kingston, Ont., native compiled a 218-136-21-21 record in five seasons as head coach in the American Hockey League with the Chicago Wolves and the Manitoba Moose. Arniel guided the Moose to the Calder Cup Finals in 2009 after posting franchise records with 50 wins and 107 points to finish atop the AHL standings. Arniel captured the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award that season as the AHL Coach of the Year.
Headline photo: Elizabeth Kong
