I’m not even going to try and sugarcoat it, the Capitals looked like absolute trash in Game One. I have shifted my mentality to “things can’t be worse for Game Two…right?!” which is probably a mistake on my part, but here we are! Let’s move on, shall we?

The Capitals are facing off against the New York Islanders for Game Two and to say they need to make some changes is an understatement. Nick Backstrom will be out of the lineup due to a gross hit from Anders Lee during Game One. In better news, Lars Eller is back! Hopefully the addition of Eller, and the heightened emotions from the way the last game ended, can breathe a little bit more life into this team. It’s not like Eller hasn’t done it before.

The puck drops at 8 PM and Mr. Peter Hassett will have your recap.

Record	35-23-10	41-20-8
Shot Attempt %	46.4%	51.8%
PDO	100.1	100.5
Power Play	17.3% (24th)	19.4% (17th)
Penalty Kill	80.7% (15th)	82.6% (6th)

Projected Lines

Nick Backstrom is out and in concussion protocol. Lars Eller is back in and Braden Holtby is in net. The lines should look a little somethin’ like this:

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

Kempny – Carlson
Dillon – Orlov
Siegenthaler – Jensen

Holtby

Curious about the lineup for the Islanders? It’s going to be exactly the same:

Barry Trotz says same lineup for tonight. #Isles

— Brian Compton (@BComptonNHL) August 14, 2020

Nathan MacKinnon

Continues to be the only NHL player I respect from Cole Harbour.

Nathan MacKinnon (@Mackinnon9) just has so much flare, we love it. 😍 #StanleyCup

🇺🇸: https://t.co/3kcL1a45pQ @NHLonNBCSports
🇨🇦: https://t.co/F9QZFOGLHg @Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/grcy0WqOy9

— NHL (@NHL) August 14, 2020

Storylines

• The horrible hit on Nick Backstrom from Anders Lee? Yeahhh, there won’t be any consequences for it.
• Braden Holtby is taking the fault for the late second period goal. As someone that has been a huge Holtby fan since forever, I simply want to say that it’s okay Braden! We all make mistakes! But can the mistakes you make maybe not be like that one?
• There is a bobblehead of Dr. Fauci throwing out the first pitch for the Nationals. I love it and the idea of Facui being giddy about it makes my heart swell.
• The Maryland Black Bears jerseys are available for pre-order through TODAY. I would buy one because I love bears, but I unfortunately can’t stand the Maryland flag SO I’m out.
• If the Capitals ever need another goalie, they could always use TJ Oshie.
• There is a report suggesting Mike Green might retire. I talked a LOT of trash about him back in the day, but I never really meant it! I don’t want him to go! Mike, I’m SORRY!
• The Capitals as Marvel superheroes. I don’t know anything about the Marvel world, but I’m happy for those of you that do.

Flash Sale

FOCO is having an End of Summer Flash Sale with some Washington Capitals and Washington Nationals items up to 70% Off! Start your search now. FOCO also still has bobbleheads remaining of Alex Ovechkin’s The Goal (most inventory gone), Tom Wilson with Halle, and Dr. Fauci’s First Pitch.

Summer isn’t over yet and I need someone to buy these swimming trunks and tell me what they think.

Full RMNB Coverage of WSH/NYI Game Two

Headline image: Cara Bahniuk/RMNB