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Washington Capitals: Top 3 key players to watch against Blackhawks

By Michael Marzzacco |
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 16: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) starts an attack during a NHL game between the Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 16, 2019, at Capital One Arena, in Washington D.C.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 16: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) starts an attack during a NHL game between the Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 16, 2019, at Capital One Arena, in Washington D.C.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 18: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) fires a first period shot against the New York Rangers on October 18, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 18: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) fires a first period shot against the New York Rangers on October 18, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Washington Capitals take on the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night at 7 p.m.

It is the beginning of their longest road trip of the season. A five-game road trip that starts in the Windy City and ends in Toronto to round out the month of October. It is a tough stretch but the Washington Capitals delivered on their home ice with two big wins.

First they used an 88 second stretch in the second period where their offense scored three goals en route to a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Then in Michal Kempny’s return Friday night the defenseman scored and the Capitals defeated the New York Rangers 5-2.

In Friday’s contest T.J. Oshie scored twice and John Carlson added three assists. Carlson is tied for the NHL lead in points with Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers with 17.

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 18: Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby (70) makes a third period save against the New York Rangers on October 18, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 18: Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby (70) makes a third period save against the New York Rangers on October 18, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Braden Holtby stopped 26-of-28 for a .929 save percentage. He’s expected to once again get the nod in goal tonight. In his lifetime against the Blackhawks, Holtby is 8-3-0 with a 2.88 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.

The Capitals come into tonight’s game with the Blackhawks leading the all-time series 44-43-11-1. They’ve played in memorable games including the Winter Classic in Washington.

Here are the top 3 players to watch tonight.

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 05: Michal Kempny #6 of the Washington Capitals signs autographs for fans on Rock The Red Carpet before the home opener against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena on October 5, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 05: Michal Kempny #6 of the Washington Capitals signs autographs for fans on Rock The Red Carpet before the home opener against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena on October 5, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

#3 Michal Kempny

Michal Kempny‘s second game back comes against his former team in the former building he once used to call home in his NHL career.

Friday was Kempny’s first game back and he scored a huge goal to jolt the Capitals fans who have waited a long time to see him back on the ice.

Kempny missed the first eight games of the season as well as the previous six and a half months with a lower-body, hamstring injury. He got third pairing minutes with Radko Gudas for a total ice time of 14:24 and he’ll once again line up there tonight.

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 18: Michal Kempny #6 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a goal in the first period against the New York Rangers at Capital One Arena on October 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 18: Michal Kempny #6 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a goal in the first period against the New York Rangers at Capital One Arena on October 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Overall it’s a good pairing, two young and physical blueliners plus it doesn’t mess with the chemistry between Jonas Siegenthaler and John Carlson, the latter tied for the most points in the NHL.

Kempny returns to the United Center, where he suited up at home before the Capitals acquired him in the 2018 trade deadline where he became an important piece in their Stanley Cup run.

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 05: Nicklas Backstrom #19 of the Washington Capitals signs autographs for fans on Rock The Red Carpet before the home opener against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena on October 5, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 05: Nicklas Backstrom #19 of the Washington Capitals signs autographs for fans on Rock The Red Carpet before the home opener against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena on October 5, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

#2 Nicklas Backstrom

Nicklas Backstrom could achieve a milestone tonight. After notching an assist on Friday night on T.J. Oshie’s second goal of the game. That assist was the 649th of his NHL career which tied him with Daniel Sedin for the fifth-most in NHL history by a Swedish-born player. One assist tonight and he passes him.

Backstrom has 881 career-points with 233 goals and 648 assists and is five points away from passing Peter Forsberg for the seventh-most points by a Swedish-born athlete.

In his career against the Blackhawks, Backstrom has recorded 15 points with five goals and 10 assists in 14 games.

Backstrom centered the top line alongside Alex Ovechkin and T.J. Oshie during Friday’s game as well as Saturday’s practice. There shouldn’t be a change to that. Backstrom has recorded a point in four of the Caps last five games. He’s also an important component in their success this year and perhaps the future.

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 18: New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) skates against Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) on October 18, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 18: New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) skates against Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) on October 18, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

There is no doubt he would like to finish his career in Washington and Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan would love to figure out a way to get this deal done. A Capitals team without Ovechkin and Backstrom is a very weird thought. Then again Backstrom will go down in history regardless.

CHICAGO, IL – JANUARY 20: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) warms up prior to a game between the Washington Capitals and the Chicago Blackhawks on January 20, 2019, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – JANUARY 20: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) warms up prior to a game between the Washington Capitals and the Chicago Blackhawks on January 20, 2019, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

#1 John Carlson

Capitals defenseman John Carlson has been on a tear and shows no signs of slowing down. He makes a serious case for the Norris Trophy this season.

Carlson is tied for the NHL lead but is first among defensemen in points with 17 as of Sunday afternoon. He’s spent time leading the defense as an alternate captain, having been given the “A” patch after Brooks Orpik’s retirement.

Look for Carlson to continue up top with his partner remaining Jonas Siegenthaler. The two have shown great chemistry during the young season.

Carlson has been on a tear on the statsheet with three goals and 14 assists for 17 points. He leads the league in both assists and points.

Carlson has been putting the puck in play with a career-high 15.8 shooting percentage. His average ice time is a whooping 25:57. Among Capitals teammates, he’s first among all skaters in that category. Carlson also leads the Capitals with 19 blocked shots

In his career against the Blackhawks, Carlson has 10 points in 14 games with three goals and seven assists including two goals in the most recent contest against the Blackhawks.

Carlson notched three assists in the Capitals win over the Rangers on Friday night increased his assist streak to six games. He needs two more to tie Mike Green and Scott Stevens for first in franchise history.

Related Story. Washington Capitals at Blackhawks: Date, Time, TV, Streaming, More. light

Those are our three players to watch tonight. Who are yours?

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