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Capitals: Top 3 players to watch against Devils

By Michael Marzzacco |
NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 20: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) during the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Washington Capitals on December 20, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 20: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) during the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Washington Capitals on December 20, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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NEWARK, NJ – DECEMBER 20: The Washington Capitals celebrate Jonas Siegenthaler’s third period goal during the game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 20, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. The Capitals defeated the Devils 6-3. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ – DECEMBER 20: The Washington Capitals celebrate Jonas Siegenthaler’s third period goal during the game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 20, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. The Capitals defeated the Devils 6-3. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Washington Capitals went for their fourth straight win but fell short on Wednesday night. Now they look to bounce back against a weaker division foe.

The Washington Capitals fell late to the Philadelphia Flyers, surrendering a shorthanded goal to Kevin Hayes. The Caps did play a hard fought game and got goals from Nicklas Backstrom and Jakub Vrana.

However, some plays and turnovers cost them the game. Even as the NHL’s best, you can’t win them all. This contest will be their second meeting and they’ll see each other shortly after in a rematch in D.C. next Thursday.

The Capitals won the first meeting which took place back on December 20 in a 6-3 win. It was a contest that marked the 900th game for Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom playing together. The duo opened up the scoring with goals in the first period and Backstrom added his second of  the game in the second period.

In the third John Carlson, Jonas Siegenthaler and Richard Panik added to Washington’s lead. As you can see, many stepped up in Washington’s win over the Devils. For the Capitals to get a win tonight here is a list of our top three players to watch.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 08: Braden Holtby #70 of the Washington Capitals looks on after allowing a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers in the first period at the Wells Fargo Center on January 8, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the Capitals 3-2. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 08: Braden Holtby #70 of the Washington Capitals looks on after allowing a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers in the first period at the Wells Fargo Center on January 8, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the Capitals 3-2. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Braden Holtby

Expecting to get the start in goal will be Braden Holtby. He’ll be looking to bounce back from a loss on Wednesday night to the Philadelphia Flyers. Holtby carries a 17-3-3 all-time record against the New Jersey Devils with a 1.94 goals against average and a .927 save percentage. It’s his second-lowest goals against average he has against any opponent and his sixth highest save percentage.

Holtby was recently voted into the 2020 NHL All Star Game which will be the fifth straight season he will partake in the festivities. His five trips to the ASG is tied for the second most in franchise history and the most by a Capitals goaltender.

Only Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens and Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers are the other active goaltenders that have participated in at least five All Star Games.

Holtby carries an 18-8-4 record with a 2.99 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage in 31 games this season. Holtby’s 18 wins is tied for fifth in the NHL.

This game will be Holtby’s first look against the Devils after Ilya Samsonov made 24 saves the previous meeting. When it’s Holtby against the Devils though, it almost reminds me of watching Martin Brodeur. Two GOATS.

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 07: Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13) smiles during the Ottawa Senators vs. Washington Capitals NHL game on January 7, 2020 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 07: Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13) smiles during the Ottawa Senators vs. Washington Capitals NHL game on January 7, 2020 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Jakub Vrana

Jakub Vrana has been heating up of late and his momentum continues to rise. Vrana has scored 19 goals this season. Vrana has had a nice streak going with four goals in his last four games.

All 19 of Vrana’s goals have come at even strength this season which is tied with David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins for the third most in the NHL. Vrana has 43 total goals in his last two seasons, 42 coming at even strength, five-on-five, which ranks 11th in the NHL.

Vrana is the only player in the NHL to have at least 40 goals over the last two seasons and only one power play goal. It is quite shocking considering the speedy forward is one of the most effective offensive weapons the Capitals have yet scoring on the power play is a rarity for him.

Per the game notes, Vrana is second in the NHL with 1.80 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five play and tied with Brayden Point of the Tampa Bay Lightning for fifth in points per 60 minutes of five-on-five play (2.97).

One may think Vrana may not be getting a lot of power play time but Vrana comes into tonight’s game averaging 1:33 of power play time per game, tied for the 283rd most in the NHL.

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 07: Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) looks for a teammate during the Ottawa Senators vs. Washington Capitals NHL game on January 7, 2020 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 07: Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) looks for a teammate during the Ottawa Senators vs. Washington Capitals NHL game on January 7, 2020 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

John Carlson

John Carlson recorded two assists in Washington’s 6-1 win over the Ottawa Senators to bring his total to 41 on the season. He became the seventh defenseman since 1979-80 to record 41 assists in his team’s first 44 games and the first since Paul Coffey, Phil Housley, and Brian Leetch in the 1991-92 season.

Carlson now has 354 career assists, passing Peter Bondra (353) for the eighth most assists all-time in franchise history. Carlson leads all NHL defensemen this season in assists and with 54 pints as well as fourth in goals with 13. Additionally, Carlson is fifth among all players with his 41 assists.

For the second straight year, Carlson will represent the Caps at the All Star Game. He’s the seventh defensemen in franchise history to receive multiple ASG selections.

Carlson is on pace for 98 points but if he keeps his torrid pace up maybe he’ll reach the century mark. Only five defensemen in the history of the NHL have recorded over 100 points.

Related Story. Capitals vs. Devils game info. light

Carlson was born in Massachusetts but raised in New Jersey and goes up against his childhood team. Those are your top 3 players to watch tonight. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.

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