Capitals Game one Preview

10/5       Capitals (0-0) at Senators (0-0)

TV: 7:30 pm; NBC SPORTS – WASHINGTON

After a disappointing end to there 2017 season, the 2017-18 Washington Capitals begin the season in Canada against the Ottawa Senators.

Washington keys to success:

•      Braden Holtby: Coming off a season, in which he posted a 2.07 GAA, the goaltender needs to come out of the gate with a strong          performance.
•       Team chemistry: Washington lost six players in the offseason, which included veteran defenseman Karl Alzner and forward Marcus Johansson, who scored 24 goals and registered 58 points. The Capitals need production from forwards Evgeny Kuznetsov, Lars Eller, Andre Burakovsky and highly-touted prospect Jakub Vrana, especially with winger Tom Wilson out for the first four games due to a suspension.
•     Power Play: In 2016-17, the Capitals were in the top 5 on the PP scoring 57 goals, and with the top unit consisting of Alexander Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, T.J. Oshie, John Carlson and Matt Niskanen, it is important that they produce.

Injury Update:

Washington-None

Ottawa-Derick Brassard-(shoulder)

Bobby Ryan-(groin)

Colin White-(wrist)

Erik Karlsson-(foot)

Clarke MacArthur-(neck)

Projected lines for Washington:

Forwards

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Oshie

Burakovsky-Kuznetsov-Vrana

Connolly-Eller-Smith Pelly

Graovac-Beagle-Walker/Stephenson

Defense

Niskanen-Carlson

Chorney-Orlov

Orpik-Bowey/Djoos

Goaltender

Holtby

Grubauer

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