Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Capitals will square off with the Calgary Flames in back-to-back games tonight at home in the Verizon Center after pulling off a satisfying 5-2 victory last night against the Philadelphia Flyers.
The encounter against the Flames will be the first contest for the Washington Capitals against a team they have previously faced in the 2015-2016 season. On their October 20th match against the Flames on the road in Calgary, the Washington Capitals made short work of the Flames in a 6-2 romp north of the border.
Tonight, Barry Trotz’ squad will be looking to double down on consecutive nights. As Barry Trotz told Mike Vogel of the Monumental Network last night, back to back games are never easy.
"“To me back-to-backs are about your mental state. Are you mentally strong? We’re going to try to be mentally strong tomorrow. We are playing a team that is mentally strong, they’re fit, they’re going to play hard, and they’re going to want to come in our building and win a game.”"
Last night’s victory over the Flyers should hopefully constitute as evidence of Trotz’ aforementioned team mental toughness after the deflating 0-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings only two nights prior. For the Capitals, the difference in those games came on special teams where the Capitals have struggled to put forth consistent results in both their power play and penalty kill units.
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The strong defensive play has been a feather in Todd Reirden’s cap as the blue line unit will again be without top pairing defenseman Brooks Orpik who suffered a “minor lower-body injury” per the Washington Post and team sources during Tuesday’s loss to the Wings. Orpik is doubtful again for the home contest against the Flames and Taylor Chorney is expected on the third pairing again with Dmitry Orlov.
The Flames will be playing the third of their four-game road trip in Washington, playing in back-to-back nights as well after facing the Tampa Bay Lightning last night in a 3-1 loss. Trips to the East Coast have not been kind to the Flames who have already dropped games against the Rangers, Islanders, and Panthers before last night’s defeat in Tampa.
The Capitals haven’t exactly extended any hospitality to the Calgary club so far in 2015 – holding the entire team to a plus/minus rating at 0 or worse. Jonathan Gaudreau (4G, 13A, 17GP) registered 2 points against the Caps in their last meeting (both on Assists), but the young phenom has struggled to keep up with the potent offense that Capitals have spread out over their forward lines. Three of four forward lines and half of the defense have registered points against the Flames in their first bout.
All eyes will be on Calgary netminder Karri Ramo tonight as he continues to ride a tumultuous start to the 2015 season – only recently rejoining the team after being placed on waivers following the Capitals’ assault on the team in late October. Ramo played in Stockton in the AHL for the next several games, but only recently rejoined the team and is expected in net against Washington tonight.
Of course, Alex Ovechkin will be eager to finally score the 484th goal of his career – finally leap-frogging Sergei Federov as the goal leader amongst Russians in NHL All-Time History. Ovechkin, who scored two beauties in the previous two matches only to have them overturned by officials will have another opportunity to create history tonight – this time in front of the home crowd in Verizon Center.
Justin Williams inadvertently cost Ovechkin his last two “goals” that would have broken the record. Williams couldn’t help but joke about it.
Justin Williams said he should be up for the Selke because he's doing a good job shutting Ovechkin down.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) November 13, 2015
Let’s keep tabs on Evgeny Kuznetsov tonight as he looks to have found his stride against Calgary, notching 3 points (all assists) and tallying the team lead against the Flames for point production. His signature no-look passes to goalscorers have become an issue for goalies in a similar vein as Ovechkin’s patented one-timer from the left circle. Whether he can continue his hot streak into December will be worth watching.
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His youthful Canadian counterpart is 19-year old Sam Bennett who has registered four goals and five assists in his last eight games. Bennett will undoubtedly receive more time on the Flames’ power play having been the lone goal scorer last night on the man advantage against Tampa Bay. The Calgary Flames are an emerging team because of their strength in prospects, so expect to see lots of 2014 NHL Draft’s fourth overall selection tonight in the Phone Booth.
Game: Calgary Flames at Washington Capitals
When: Friday, November 13th @ 7:00PM EST
Where: Verizon Center, Washington D.C.
TV Info: CSN Washington, SNW
Radio Info: Capitals Radio 24/7, Caps Radio Network, Caps Mobile App
Live Stream: NHL Gamecenter