Capitals: Preview of Saturday’s Matinee matchup between the Capitals and Devils.
As the Washington Capitals head north to Prudential Center to take on the New Jersey Devils, they have one thing set in mind.
Leave with a win and 2-points and play better defense. Even though they received 1-point against the Montreal Canadians, thanks to Tom Wilson’s equalizer late in third-period goal at the 19:39 mark, they still allowed too many breakaways giving the Canadians glorious opportunities to blow the game wide open.
If you’re a Capitals fan, you remember what happened the last time these two teams tilted back on January 11. The Devils came-out fast and gritty, scoring the, wait for it, games first goal.
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The Devils would go on to score 3 more goals in the 2nd period, eventually running away with the game and thumping the Capitals with a final score of 5-1. The Capitals gave the puck away 13 times to the Devils 9-giveaways. But, they did win physicality battles, but they need to do a better job of wearing their opponent’s down.
Some fans have started getting the panic button out, but if memory serves me right, this team seems to always struggle at the end of January and half of February for some reason. Put those panic buttons a few more inches away so you don’t accidentally hit it.
Alexander Ovechkin scores goal no. 699 of his career and now heads north to try and silence the noise around him reaching a milestone that, frankly, we all knew would happen this season. He’s a freak of nature and never gives up. This is the type of game Ovechkin needs to get back on the hot streak he was on over a week and half ago, scoring at an unbelievable pace and keeping up with Boston Bruins, David Pastrňák, who sits at 43 goals.
IIya Samsonov, 16-4-1, with a 2.38 GAA (Goals Against Average), and a .917% save percentage, in 23 starts this season, will be in net. Arguably, Samsonov has been the brightest spot for the wolfing Capitals. Branden Holtby, will backup Sammy.
That leaves me with this, Holtby has been named the starter for Sunday’s afternoon matchup with the current division leaders, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Yeah, I know, that’s not what we are use to hearing, but for know, it is what it is. Here’s my question to you all. Will the Capitals win the division or end up 2nd and losing the division for the first time in years? Leave your answers below or follow me (EFord17451) on Twitter and tweet me your comments.
Right off the draw it's @ovi8!!! pic.twitter.com/2jVdZRMOtA
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 21, 2020
Date: Saturday February
Time: 1 p.m.
Where: Prudential Center
TV Broadcast: NBC Sports Washington, NHL Network
Radio: 106.7 The Fan
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