Full disclosure: I’m getting tired of these round-robin games. I’m ready for them to really count. I also don’t like losing. Luckily, this is the final one. The Capitals will face off against the Bruins this afternoon in a match that will decide who they will be playing in the first round of the playoffs. Will it be the New York Islanders or the Carolina Hurricanes?

Personally, I don’t want the Capitals to play either, those options do not sound fun to me. But, no matter who the opponent is, it’ll be an absolute pleasure to watch the first round with all of you. God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers. Let’s do this.

The puck drops at 12 PM, and, yes you guessed it, Peter will put the cherry on top of your afternoon with a recap.

Record	44-14-12	41-20-8
Shot Attempt %	52.0%	51.8%
PDO	101.6	100.5
Power Play	25.2% (2nd)	19.4% (17th)
Penalty Kill	84.3% (3rd)	82.6% (6th)

Projected Lines

We have some lineup news for you. Lars Eller is out quarantining in the bubble after leaving for the birth of his child. John Carlson is still out resting after his injury from the exhibition game. Nicklas Backstrom is going to be a game-time decision after missing practice due to undisclosed reasons. The lineup is going to get clearer a bit closer to game time:

Ovechkin – Kuznetsov – Wilson
Vrana – Backstrom – Oshie
Hagelin – Boyd – Kovalchuk
Panik – Dowd – Hathaway

Dillon – Orlov
Kempny – Gudas
Siegenthaler – Jensen

Holtby

If the Capitals are without Nicky, this is what Coach Todd might be thinking:

If Nicklas Backstrom does not play today vs Boston, Reirden said Brian Pinho, who will take warmups, could slot in.

Also, Philippe Maillet is higher on the depth chart than Connor McMichael at this point.

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) August 9, 2020

Quintessential Connor

This is the stat as of last night. Obviously, this could change, but one thing remains the same…we gotta #FREECONNOR.

Congratulations to Connor McDavid for setting the NHL record for most playoff points in a season in which his team did not qualify for the playoffs. ⁦@DownGoesBrown⁩ pic.twitter.com/zfBB6zQ2nV

— Michael Stainbrook (@Stainbrook419) August 9, 2020

Storylines

• Joe Beninati won the Emmy for Best Sports Play-by-Play. Duh, of course he did. Best in the game, we always knew.
• Pittsburgh Penguins? OUT
• Arizona Coyotes? IN
• I will scream if I do not get my hands on one of these Washington Nationals bucket hats in the next month or so.
• Victor Hedman is not a happy camper and took it out on this poor, unsuspecting metal railing :(.
• Number one seeds in the East and West go to the Vegas Golden Knights and the Philadelphia Flyers. Two teams that I would be perfectly happy never hearing from again.
• Someone asked Braden Holtby if the NHL should adopt the 24-team playoff format. His answer was a hard, “No:”. Same, Braden. Same.
• NEW CAPS BABY ALERT NEW CAPS BABY ALERT NEW CAPS BABY ALERT NEW CAPS BABY ALERT!
• TJ Oshie is missing his family while stuck in the bubble.

Elimination for Dinner

Might I interest you in another elimination game? The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Columbus Blue Jackets will face off later tonight at 8 PM. This is for all the marbles, the winner continues on and the loser goes home. Need some more convincing?

The last game, the Maple Leafs had a big ol’ comeback and won in overtime. Check the highlights here:

Still not convinced? Maybe you want to see John Tortorella likely to have a weird meltdown?

#CBJ coach John Tortorella said 23 words after his team blew 3-0 lead in final 4 minutes of regulation and two were names of those who asked questions.
“I think you have that answer, Hedge.”
“Just what you said, Dave, I’m not gonna explain it.”
“Have not talked to the trainers.”

— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) August 8, 2020

Whatever your cup of tea might be, this should be a good one. I recommend tuning in.

Full RMNB Coverage of Caps vs Bruins

Headline photo: Elizabeth Kong/RMNB