Capitals Vs. Oilers: Preview, Start Time, Live Stream, TV Info

Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Capitals are set to dig their heels into defending the Verizon Center more than halfway through their five-game homestand. Tonight’s challenge will come from the Edmonton Oilers.

After putting down one of their most dominant performances of the season in a 7-3 win over the visiting Colorado Avalanche, the Washington Capitals (13-5-1) set their sights on bringing another highlight performance against the Edmonton Oilers. The previous encounter with the Oilers was certainly enjoyable for Caps fans, as Evgeny Kuznetsov led the team in scoring on a 7-4 night. Kuzy cashed in on his first career hat trick in that encounter and added two assists. 

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For the Oilers, it was Ryan Nugent-Hopkins who shone brightest in the losing effort, recording a goal and a helper in just under twenty minutes of ice time. He’ll need to be near perfect tonight as his team will be down five players to injuries this go round: Justin Schultz, Jordan Eberle, Rob Klinkhammer, Luke Gazdic and 2015 1st overall pick Connor McDavid will all be watching from the press box. The Oilers have already lost 70 man games to injury so far on the young season. Ouch.

The Oilers are still occupying the cellar in the Pacific Division at 7-12-1, but are riding high after a long weekend of rest following Friday night’s 5-1 thumping of the New Jersey Devils. The effort showcased some of the best of Taylor Hall and 20-year old German phenom forward Leon Draisaitl, who combined for six points and joined together for this gorgeous sauce-pass tip in past Keith Kinkaid.

The lineup for the Capitals will be mostly unchanged from Saturday’s match against the Avalanche. The most noteworthy absence is on Brooks Orpik, who is still smarting from his lower body injury and did not participate with the team during the morning skate accordingly to multiple sources.

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The decision to start either Andre Burakovsky or Stanislav Galiev will be the big question for the lineup – Trotz favoring Galiev against Colorado. Justin Williams seems to have played well enough on the third line to warrant rejoining the second and Tom Wilson remains planted on the fourth where he’ll likely stay until he can convert a few more of those aggravating near-misses we’ve seen from him lately. Wilson is due to score soon, folks. I’d like to see him do it now. 

While the Oilers will have to do without teenage rising talent Connor McDavid after breaking his collarbone, they’ve recalled Draisaitl (3rd overall pick in 2014) from Bakersfield in the AHL. He’s shown quick chemistry with a line with Hall – knotting seven goals and 17 points in ten games already. He has a point in eight of 10 and multiple points in more than half of them. Number 29 in orange will surely be one to watch for Edmonton.

For Washington, eyes fix onto Nicklas Backstrom who has not only rejoined the top line with Ovechkin and Oshie, but turned 28-years old today. Congrats on another mile-marker for Backstrom who has spent his entire career with the Capitals since being drafted 4th overall in 2005. Has it already been 10 years?

Braden Holtby will be expected in net tonight for the Caps. Philipp Grubauer led Washington to victory the last time these teams were matched. Nate Schmidt has done well replacing Orpik on the top pairing with defenseman John Carlson. He was one of seven different scorers against Colorado, banging in a laser top shelf on Reto Berra. It will be interesting to see if Schmidt can warrant more minutes with a continued strong performance. I expect a closer match between the two clubs tonight than what we witnessed a month ago.

The Capitals made it a point to score the first tally in the Avs contest and I expect the desire to find the scoresheet is paramount for a slew of struggling Capitals forwards on the fourth line. Brooks Laich has had a relatively quiet campaign in 2015. I wonder if he can reassert himself against another team searching for its footing tonight. We’ll continue bringing you news and updates as we get closer to our 7:00 PM EST puck drop.

Who: Washington Capitals Vs. Edmonton Oilers
Where: Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.
When: 7:00PM EST, Monday, November 23rd
TV Coverage: CSN-DC
Radio Coverage: Capitals Radio Network, Caps Radio 24/7
Live Stream: NHL Gamecenter Live

Next: Caps Vs. Avs Post Game: Caps Win 7-3

Let’s Go Caps!!