Game information/links
Game preview
The Washington Capitals authored one of their most improbable victories of the year on Thursday, defeating the Buffalo Sabres 2-1. The first-in-the-Atlantic Sabres had won eight-straight games coming into the night and were the hottest team in the league since January.
While the victory may have improved morale, the two points did little to help the Capitals’ floundering playoff odds, which jumped only to 12.9 percent per Money Puck. If you’re an optimist, someone who sees the glass as always half full, today’s game against the Boston Bruins is arguably The Biggest Game of the Season. The Capitals literally need a regulation win today to have any remaining hope of a possible playoff appearance by season’s end.
The Capitals trail the Bruins by five points for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, but the Bruins have two games in hand (meaning they could earn a maximum of four more points when they catch up to the Capitals in games played). Behind the Bruins sit the surging Columbus Blue Jackets, who have earned points in nine of their last 10 games, the Ottawa Senators (6-2-2 in their last 10), and the Philadelphia Flyers (6-3-1 in their last 10).
The Capitals also sit six points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders, who are tied with 79 standings points and sit second and third in the Metropolitan Division, respectively. The Capitals’ current closeness to these fringe playoff teams is a bit of a mirage, though, because they have played the most games (67) in the Eastern Conference, one or two more than every other team.
Lineup wise, the Capitals will go with the same players and Logan Thompson will get the start, per Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery. David Kampf will miss his fourth straight game since being traded due to visa issues.
Today’s game is a national boi, airing on ABC at 3:00 pm. Let’s go Caps.
Lines
Washington Capitals
Boston Bruins
Goalie matchup
Tunnel shenanigans
1st Period
Puck is dropped. Duhaime-McMichael-Frank and Chychrun-Liljegren get the start.
Chychrun is already ailing seconds into the game holding his arm or wrist. He finished his first shift.
Pierre-Luc Dubois and Morgan Geekie both off for roughing at 4:24. We’ll go to four-on-four hockey.
McMichael and Wilson inches away from scoring on two separate chances in front of the net.
David Pastrnak stopped by Logan Thompson on a semi-breakaway. This game certainly has a playoff feel.
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