The Capitals are facing the New York Islanders in Game Four of the first round in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Isles are up 3-0, so this is the final chance for the Capitals. Nothing huge to update you on about the team other than Nick Backstrom will be a game-time decision and this could potentially be the last game that Braden Holtby is in goal for the Washington Capitals. See, nothing huge to update you on, but also can someone send me some tissues?

I hope this isn’t my last pregame of the season. I hope the Capitals have some wild comeback. I think I’ll always secretly hold out a little hope (that’s why it hurts my heart very bad), but if this is the end of the road for 2020…just know that it’s been a pleasure. See you on the other side.

The puck drops at 8 PM and Peter Hassett will welcome you back here with a recap. Let’s go Caps.

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

We do not know about Nick Backstrom and Martin Fehervary was not on the ice this morning, so he won’t be playing. The lineup will be clearer closer to puck drop, but for now these were the lines we saw last game:

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

Dillon – Carlson
Orlov – Jensen
Fehervary – Gudas

Holtby

Canes/Bruins

Did anyone happen to catch the Hurricanes/Bruins game last night? I went to brush my teeth and Carolina was winning 2-0. Sat back down and Boston had taken the lead 4-2. A wild turn of events! The Bruins had scored four goals in a span of 6:51 in the third period to take a 3-1 series lead. This was the 11th time in franchise history that Boston has rallied from a multi-goal deficit in the final period of a playoff game to win. Anyway here are the highlights:

A third period for the books.

🎥 Re-live all the highlights from last night’s comeback win over Carolina.#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/9asKL5YNGp

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) August 18, 2020

Storylines

• There is a possibility that this is the final time we will see Braden Holtby suit up as the Caps goaltender. To say that I’m gonna lose my marbles if he goes, will be an understatement.
• If the Capitals end up getting swept tonight, I think we can all agree that some changes will be coming. But, what exactly will those changes be?
• Some analysis that will, um, probably make you a little sad.
• Baby content! Sergei Ovechkin turned the big ol’ 2, which is hard to believe because he doesn’t look a day over 1! He had a cute hockey themed birthday party.
• We have a new podcast out! Pete and Ian talk about what the heck is going on.
• If you missed the last game, I don’t blame you. Chris has the morning after numbers to catch you up.
• In some better news, the bubble seems to be workin’ out! There are still no positive COVID tests for the third-straight week!
• Nick Backstrom took part in the black aces skate while everyone else had the day off. Definitely positive to see he’s getting some movement.
• Stephen Strasburg and Anibal Sanchez got tossed from the stands during games this week. Absolute kings.

New RMNB Tees

Things might be lookin’ bad for the Caps but that doesn’t mean that YOU can’t look good! In all seriousness, we have three new shirts that you should check out.

Full RMNB Coverage of WSH/NYI Game Four

Headline image: Elizabeth Kong/RMNB