Washington Capitals Head Home to Host the Carolina Hurricanes
Can the Washington Capitals make it three consecutive wins?
The Washington Capitals currently sit tied for first place in the Eastern Conference with 68 points. After three games on the road last week, they head back to Verizon Center Monday night to take on a division foe. The Carolina Hurricanes make their first trip of the season to DC.
Washington and Carolina split their first two games against each other this year, both of which were played in Raleigh.
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In the first game, backup goalie Philipp Grubauer was between the pipes and was torched for four goals. Carolina winger Sebastian Aho scored his first two NHL goals in the game and also added an assist. Veteran center Jordan Staal had a goal and three assists. Evgeny Kuznetsov provided the lone goal in the game for the Caps.
The result was better for the Capitals during the second meeting.
T.J. Oshie, Justin Williams and Alexander Ovechkin all scored in regulation. Oshie and Kuznetsov scored in the shootout to pull out the victory. Grubauer was once again in the net and made 27 saves.
The Capitals have been very balanced this year, ranking first in goals against per game and fifth in goals scored per game. The usually strong power play is ranked just 14th, but they are third in penalty kill percentage.
Carolina enters the contest on a three-game losing streak and have allowed 14 goals in those losses. Jeff Skinner leads the team with 17 goals and Victor Rask leads with 19 assists.
With three games remaining before the All-Star break, the Caps will look to end the first half of the season on a win streak. In order to do that they will need to take care of business at home Monday night.