The Caps are coming off a two-game win streak after their victory against the Carolina Hurricanes the other night. The OT win was yet another up-and-down performance by the Caps who blew a two-goal lead and let the Canes back into the game.
Backstrom and Ovechkin played well, especially with Tom Wilson manning the right side. The trio have been successful the past few games and the chemistry was beginning to take hold.
Unfortunately, Wilson was injured in the last game and will be out tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Wilson (LBI) and Brooks Laich (UBI) are both sidelined for the Caps, which opens the door for regular 4th liner Jay Beagle to take a shot with Ovechkin and Backstrom. Beagle played with the two superstars last season and saw some success, but not enough to warrant frequent playing time under Adam Oates.
Barry Trotz on the other hand is very interested in what Beagle has to bring to the first:
“He goes and gets pucks and he also gives us another draw man,… Trotz said “I play Ovi and Backy quite a bit and you need a guy aerobically inclined. Beags gives you some fresh legs to not only get pucks to Backy and Ovi, but to come back defensively.… (csnwashington)
Beagle is also excited about another chance to play with Ovechkin and Backstrom:
“You get a little more time when you’re playing with them because opponents have to respect Ovi and Backy,… Beagle said. “They’ll be open in the slot, where maybe we’re grinding it out and have our heads buried grinding in the corners. It’s fun. It’s a different style of playing.… (csnwashington)
With Laich out as well, the Caps will look to bring Kuznetsov back into the mix. Kuznetsov was a healthy scratch on Friday, but played Saturday. He's been "stuck" on the 4th line, but has played well considering a limited amount of ice time.
Kuznetsov knows that being patient is the best thing to do right while he works on his game:
“This is hockey life,… Kuznetsov said. “Today you don’t play, tomorrow you play. This is the life. I’m ready for this... and I’m ready to work hard for it. What’s good for the team is good for me, too.…
The forward lines at Kettler looked like this today:
Alex Ovechkin – Nicklas Backstrom – Jay Beagle
Marcus Johansson – Andre Burakovsky – Troy Brouwer
Jason Chimera – Eric Fehr – Joel Ward
Liam O’Brien – Michael Latta - Evgeny Kuznetsov
The D-pairings will most likely remain the same.
Columbus is coming into tonight losing 9 of the last 10 games, including 8 in a row - WOW - and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is still out with a broken finger. Bob's absence has hurt the Blue Jacket's the most the last few weeks.
Game time is 7pm.
More to come...