Capitals vs. Devils Preview: March 19, 2019
The Washington Capitals travel to Prudential Center to face the New Jersey Devils for the final time this season. The division foes are the last team the Caps will face this year who has been eliminated from playoff contention. The rest are either in the playoffs already or have a shot at qualifying. The Capitals seek to use this game as a breather before their competition gets tougher to end the year.
The Capitals are confident they will make the playoffs. With 91 points and a record of 42-23-7, they are still tied with the New York Islanders for first in the Metro Division, but will likely make the Top Two. If the playoffs started today, they would face the Penguins in the first round. Scoring has not been a problem for the Caps, as seven of their players have scored eighteen or more goals this season. This is more than any other team. Alex Ovechkin’s 48 goals also lead the league among all players.
The Devils, though, have already been eliminated. Their record is 27-37-9, with only 63 points and last in the Metro Division. Despite making the playoffs last year, the team has not found a groove, and fell far behind in the standings. The best they can hope to do now is take points away from Washington. But the Capitals know this, and will attack in full force coming up.
For the season series overall, the Caps lead 2-1. After a 6-0 rout back in October, the Capitals recovered by winning their next two meetings 6-3 and 3-0, both at home. They try to hold their road record of 21-14-2 while they take to the road. This is not the same Capitals team which lost early in the year. Motivated, driven, and based on cooperation as evidenced by their scoring distribution, these Capitals are ready to win. Game starts at 7 p.m. in New Jersey.
