Match-up - Washington Capitals (11-10-4) @ New Jersey Devils (10-12-4) Road/Home records - 6-5-1 -------------- 3-3-3 TV - MSG+, CSN-DC Puck drop - 7:00 p.m. ET Season series - 1-1 Last 10 - Washington: 4-5-1 ------- New Jersey: 3-5-2 Projected starting goalies - Braden Holtby vs Cory Schneider
Projected lines for the Capitals via DailyFaceoff.com:
Alex Ovechkin - Nicklas Backstrom - Tom Wilson Marcus Johansson - Andre Burakovsky - Troy Brouwer Brooks Laich - Eric Fehr - Joel Ward Jason Chimera - Michael Latta - Jay Beagle
Brooks Orpik - John Carlson Karl Alzner - Matt Niskanen Jack Hillen - Nate Schmidt
Injured: Mike Green, John Erskine, Dmirty Orlov.
Projected lines for the Devils:
*questionable
Patrik Elias*/Dainius Zubrus - Scott Gomez - Jaromir Jagr* Mike Cammalleri - Adam Henrique - Michael Ryder Tuomo Ruutu - Jacob Josefson - Mike Sislo Jordin Tootoo - Stephen Gionta - Steve Bernier
Andy Greene - Damon Severson Pete Harrold - Marek Zidlicky Eric Gelinas - Jon Merrill/Adam Larsson*
Injured: Travis Zajac, Martin Havlat, Ryane Clowe, Jon Merrill, Bryce Salvador.
Game notes:
- Even if the Devils get some bodies back tonight, which seems quite likely, they'll need to play a simple north-south game. They're not going to fool anyone with high-end skill or blow by anyone with a ton of team speed, so they'll need to simplify things. Get pucks on net and send traffic to screen/bang in rebounds. If they get into a shootout with Washington it's not going to end well.
- New Jersey has struggled with discipline at times this season, which is something they can't afford to do tonight. Washington's power play has been about as good as anybody's and with Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstroke and co. they're a legitimate threat every time out. If the Devils can limit their opportunities it'll go a long way.
- Adam Henrique has quietly put up five points in his last five games. With New Jersey missing several top-9 forwards they needed someone to step up and to this point he has.
- Offense from the defense will be key in this one. Again, with the Devils missing bodies up front they're struggling to score even more so than usual, so they need help. The defense contributed six points last game, and if they can produce a few points of offense tonight the Devils will probably come out on top.
- Through everything that has gone on this year the Devils can be tied for a playoff spot with a win tonight. They're hardly out of it either way, but if they could win tonight and go on a bit of a run it should give them a bit of breathing room the rest of the way. The Capitals are hovering right around them in the standings so this is a big one.
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