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Caps in Minnesota - TW43 is back |
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This is the first of a four game road trip for the Capitals struggling for consistency after a 2-2-1 home stand that ended in a sub par 4-1 loss on Sunday vs Arizona. It’s a critical week for the Caps as they face stiff competition over the trip where the four opposition teams have a combined 21-7-5 record.
Tonight is the Capitals third of back-to-back sets so far with the club heading to Winnipeg after the game for a tilt with the Jets on Wednesday night. The Wild are unbeaten in regulation at home with a 5-0-2 record while the Caps will look to improve on a dreary 2-3-1 road record.
The struggling Washington penalty kill is getting some help as forward Tom Wilson had his suspension reduced to 14 games from the original 20 by arbitrator Shyam Das and will be in the lineup on Tuesday night in Minnesota to face a hot Wild club winners of three in a row. The 6’4” 218 pound wrecking ball will have to watch his game as he is being watched whether Caps fans like it or not. I don’t suspect Wilson will turn into a Lady Byng Trophy award winner anytime soon but I do expect an adjustment. He can still hurt guys clean.
@russianmachine brings back some memories of the raging bull...
The 7-6-3 Capitals head into 11-4-3 Minnesota with a forward lineup much the same as last spring for the first time this season however Brooks Orpik remains out on defense. With Wilson in the Capitals depth gets pushed down and can create mismatches for other teams. The 3rd line of Burakovsky, Eller, and Connolly was able to outplay most teams lines during the playoffs last season. I like this as it may kickstart a struggling Burakovsky who may be hearing some trade winds swirl. Coach Todd Reirden has juggled his D pairings as Orlov and Niskanen have been split up with the Carlson/Kempney pairing in a move hoping to pay dividends on the defensive side of the puck.
The Capitals have struggled for goals lately scoring only four goals in it’s last three games and will face a tough test playing a Wild team that ranks fourth in NHL allowing only 2.53 GA per game. Former Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau has his team playing well with 10 wins over their last 12 games after winning only once in its first 5 games. The Wild PK unit will look to thwart the Capitals potent PP attack with both teams near the league league in respective special teams play. Minnesota is fourth in PK at 86% while Washington’s PP sits second at 31.5% but hasn’t been as strong on the road so far with a 18.8% in 6 away games.
Devan Dubnyk has been great in the pipes for the Wild with a 2.13 GAA and 2.33 SV% with an 8-3-2 record. Pheonix Copley will get his 4th start and 5th appearance for Washington holding a 3.14 GAA and .898 SV%. The North Pole, Alaska native is 2-1-1 in his four appearances.
Game time is 8PM EST at Excel Energy Center
Capital Gain:
Former Caps Matt Hendricks and Eric Fehr will play for the Wild
Washington Capitals Blogger • 
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