Caps face off against the Predators tonight in DC
4-5 Nashville (51-18-11) at Washington (48-25-7)
TV: 7pm NBC Sports Network
Last game for Nashville: 2-1 loss at Florida
- Roman Josi-goal
- Pekka Rinne-31 saves
These two teams will play for the first time since November 14th, when the Nashville Predators won 6-3. Nashville will be a tough task for the Capitals as they are currently ranked as the number one seed in the Central division, number one team in the Western conference and the overall number one team in the NHL, with 113 points in the standings on the season. With a win tonight the Preds can clinch the Central division and most likely secure the presidents trophy which was held by the Capitals the last two seasons.
Players to watch
Defenseman Roman Josi had the lone goal for Nashville Tuesday and is tied with center Ryan Johansen for fourth on the team with 51 points. Filip Forsberg leads the team with 61 points. Goalie Pekka Rinne (41-13-4, 2.32 goals-against average, .927 save percentage) has lost four of his last five starts.
Last game for Washington: 4-2 win at St. Louis
- Nicklas Backstrom-goal, 2 assists
- Andre Burakovsky-goal
- Alex Chiasson-goal
- Alex Ovechkin-goal
- Braden Holtby-34 saves
The Capitals come into this one winner of two in a row. Washington ranks first in the Metropolitan division and have already clinched the division against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Caps are number three overall in the Eastern conference and sixth in the NHL, with 103 points on the season.
Players to watch
Alex Ovechkin scored (46) in Monday’s 4-2 victory over St. Louis and leads Winnipeg’s Patrik Laine (44) by two as he goes for a seventh Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy. John Carlson registered five assists in the last six games. Philipp Grubauer has allowed seven goals while winning four straight starts and Braden Holtby is 4-1-0 in his past five, giving up 13 goals.
Lines
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Burakovsky-Backstrom-Oshie
Connolly-Eller-DSP
Stephenson-Boyd-Chiasson
Kempny-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Djoos
Philipp Grubauer starting tonight between the pipes.
Out: Beagle, Vrana, Gersich, Pinho, Jerabek, Bowey
