Margaret Stuart

About Margaret Stuart (@russianmachine)

Caps vs. Rangers pregame: It only takes one

After last night’s rout of the Leafs, the Caps need a single point against the Rangers to secure the Presidents’ Trophy, Eastern Conference, and Metropolitan Division. Win or lose, the Caps can’t deny the Rangers the opportunity to clinch. The Rangers have claimed the first wild-card spot in the East and will face the Habs in the first round.

The Rangers will be without several key players, including Ryan McDonagh, who is injured. Rangers coach Alain Vigneault has elected to rest forwards Rick Nash, Mats Zuccarello, and Jesper Fast. With little to play for, this decision makes sense. On the flip side, “Seventh Defenseman” Nate Schmidt will remain in the lineup since John Carlson is still injured.

Puck drop at 8 PM on NBCSN.

Team	Record	SA%	PDO	Power Play	Penalty Kill
Washington Capitals	53-18-8	53.1%	102.9	23.5% (3rd)	84.0% (7th)
New York Rangers	47-26-6	48.2%	101.0	20.1% (11th)	79.7% (23rd)

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By Margaret Stuart 6 years ago

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Caps vs. Flames pregame: Locked in

The Capitals are hosting the Calgary Flames tonight, who are hungry for a playoff spot (can’t relate). They’re also red-hot, having won 12 of their last 13. Goaltender Brian Elliott has 11 straight wins to his name.

Tonight’s match-up is the first of a three-game homestand for the Caps. With the roster intact and a trip to the postseason officially in the books, Barry Trotz has yet to alter his lines. Yes, that means the continued presence of Nate Schmidt in the press box.

Puck drop is at 7PM on CSN.

Team	Record	SA%	PDO	Power Play	Penalty Kill
Washington Capitals	46-17-8	52.7%	103.4	21.4% (8th)	83.7% (8th)
Calgary Flames	41-27-4	50.7%	99.8	19.6% (14th)	81.3% (13th)

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By Margaret Stuart 7 years ago

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Caps vs Predators pregame: Return to form

The Capitals have a feisty opponent tonight in the Nashville Predators, who are fresh off an overtime win over the Jets. If you hadn’t heard, the Capitals halted a four-game losing streak with a win over the Wild on Tuesday night. (Did your hand cramp from hitting the panic button too many times?)

Hopefully, your fears have been quelled, and you’re free to enjoy tonight’s game. The Predators are third in the Central Division and clawing for a top playoff seed. Oh, and that kid Filip Forsberg notched a goal and an assist in his last game.

Puck drop at 7 PM on CSN.

Team	Record	SA%	PDO	Power Play	Penalty Kill
Washington Capitals	45-17-7	52.8%	103.7	21.2% (8th)	84.0% (7th)
Nashville Predators	34-24-11	51.3%	100.2	20.5% (10th)	79.8% (21st)

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By Margaret Stuart 7 years ago

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Caps vs Oilers pregame: Homecoming

Tonight, the Capitals return to Verizon Center to take on the Edmonton Oilers, who have been surprisingly hot lately. After some touch-and-go, the Caps got their groove back Wednesday night to crush the Flyers, 4-1. On the flip side, the Oilers have a 4-1 record in their last five games.

It’s been 13 days since the Caps last took to their home ice. Despite the recent rash of injuries, their recent dominance in DC suggests a good chance of two points tonight.

Puck drop at 7 PM on CSN-DC.

Team	Record	SA%	PDO	Power Play	Penalty Kill
Washington Capitals	40-12-7	52.7%	104.1	22.1%	84.5%
Edmonton Oilers	33-20-8	50.4%	100.6	20.6%	80.9%

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By Margaret Stuart 7 years ago

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Caps at Habs pregame: party party

It’s finally here. No, not the heavily-anticipated matchup of the Washington Capitals and Les Canadiens de Montreal (although that is indeed on the books.) RMNBX is today, so get your celly on over at Iron Horse.

The Habs are coming off Thursday night’s 3-1 loss to the Flyers and are leading the Atlantic Division. They’re without Brendan Gallagher but have a scorching top line, featuring none other than Alex Radulov. Don’t underestimate the Habs. They’re not a team that can simultaneously hide behind Carey Price and hang him out to dry; they’re genuinely good.

Puck drop at 1 PM on CSN-MA.

Team	Record	SA%	PDO	Power Play	Penalty Kill
Washington Capitals	34-11-6	52.7%	104.0	20.8%	83.9%
Montreal Canadiens	26-21-6	51.7%	102.0	23.2%	79.2%

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By Margaret Stuart 7 years ago

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Caps at Devils pregame: Thursday throwdown

Following a rare shutout loss, the Caps head north to right the ship against the New Jersey Devils. The Devs (can we make that a thing?) are dead last in the Metropolitan Division and most recently fell to the Kings, 3-1.

Meanwhile, there are no streaks the Caps can boast of, so consider this both a jinx-free pregame and a clean slate for the team. With TJ Oshie out and Top-Line Beagle in, anything goes.

Puck drop at 7 PM on CSN-MA.

Team	Record	SA%	PDO	Power Play	Penalty Kill
Washington Capitals	32-10-6	54.6%	102.5	19.9%	85.5%
New Jersey Devils	20-20-9	48.6%	99.7	13.9%	82.1%

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By Margaret Stuart 7 years ago

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Caps at Senators pregame: Catch ’em if you can

Having delivered yet another rout, the Caps head north to Canada’s capital to face the Senators. With 55 points, the Sens are second in the Atlantic Division.

The last time these two teams played each other, Braden Holtby notched a shutout in a 1-0 Caps victory. That took place last year. You know what else hasn’t happened since last year? The Caps have not lost a game in regulation (since December 27, to be precise.)

Meanwhile, the Caps’ point streak is at 14 games. If they tally another point, the 2016-17 Caps will have tied a franchise record. Casual.

CSN has your puck drop at 7:30 PM.

Team	Record	SA%	PDO	Power Play	Penalty Kill
Washington Capitals	32-9-6	52.9%	104.1	20.7%	85.7%
Ottawa Senators	25-15-5	47.4%	100.4	17.6%	81.5%

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By Margaret Stuart 7 years ago

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Caps vs Habs pregame: Seventh heaven

With their narrow shootout win over the Canes, the Caps have won six straight. Yup, they did that. But gunning for seven will be a challenge, as tonight’s opponent is formidable: the Habs.

Montreal leads the Atlantic Division, is a strong possession team, and has Carey Price in goal. Washington is in fourth in the ridiculously good Metro, is a strong possession team, and have Braden Holtby in goal. This should be a fun one.

Hopefully, tonight’s officiating is somewhat in accordance with the NHL rulebook, which you can read here.

In the meantime, puck drop at 7 on CSN. Be there or be square.

Team	Record	Possession	PDO	Power Play	Penalty Kill
Montreal Canadiens	19-7-4	52.77%	102.5	19.8%	80.9%
Washington Capitals	19-7-3	53.62%	101.6	19.4%	83.7%

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By Margaret Stuart 7 years ago

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Caps players hold players-only meeting after blowing three-goal lead

Following their 4-3 overtime win, the Caps held a closed-door, players-only meeting. While the Caps ultimately came away with two points, the game was far more lopsided than the score suggested. According to Isabelle Khurshudyan, the meeting lasted about fifteen minutes, but what did the players talk about?

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By Margaret Stuart 7 years ago

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Lars Eller is skating and ‘feeling much better’

Monday morning, depth forward Paul Carey was re-assigned to the Hershey Bears, suggesting that Lars Eller is near a full recovery.

Eller, who sustained an undisclosed upper-body injury during Friday night’s game against the Red Wings, has not participated in a Caps practice since. The third line center took the ice during the Caps’ family skate Saturday. On Monday, Eller skated before the rest of the team had practice, Caps’ Head Coach Barry Trotz was optimistic.

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By Margaret Stuart 7 years ago

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Posts by Margaret Stuart

About Margaret Stuart (@russianmachine)