Top 3 key Capitals to watch against Canadiens
Tonight the Washington Capitals face the Montreal Canadiens for the first of two visits to the Bell Centre this season. The Caps have earned at least one point in 19 of their last 21 games in Montreal, posting a 17-2-2 record with an .857 point percentage. This run dates back to Nov. 28, 2009.
Last season the Capitals won two out of three games against the Canadiens by a combined score of 14-9 which included a 9-2 victory over Montreal on New Years Eve at Capital One Arena.
That 9-2 win was fueled by an Alex Ovechkin hat trick. He would love to get one tonight after going two consecutive games without a shot on goal for the first time in his career.
Here are the top 3 Caps to watch tonight:
#3 Hardy Haman Aktell
After getting called up from the Hershey Bears, Hardy Haman Aktell is expected to make his NHL debut tonight. The 25 year old has recorded one goal in two games with the Bears this season. His first career AHL goal came on Oct. 15 against Cleveland.
Haman Aktell was originally from the Nashville Predators organization as he was drafted in the fourth round at 108th overall. He signed with the Capitals in April after spending the last three seasons with the Vaxjo Lakers of the SHL.
#2 Nicklas Backstrom
Congratulations to Nicklas Backstrom on playing his 1,100th career game on Wednesday night against the Ottawa Senators. It’s a big accomplishment just wish they won for you instead of getting spanked 6-1.
Backstrom ranks second in franchise history in games played and has appeared in 1,100 of the Capitals 1,242 games since making his NHL debut on Oct. 5, 2007. That’s 88.6 percent of their games since the opening night of the 2007-08 season.
Backstrom has recorded 1,032 points with 271 goals and 761 assists in 1,100 career games. He’s one of six active players with at least 1,100 games played and 1,000 points, joining the likes of Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, Anze Kopitar, Claude Giroux, and Joe Pavelski.
Since making his NHL debut, Backstrom ranks third in the NHL in assists behind Crosby and Patrick Kane. He’s also seventh in points behind Ovechkin, Crosby, Kane, Evgeni Malkin, Kopitar, and Steven Stamkos.
The fourth overall pick in the 2006 NHL Draft, Backstrom leads that 2006 draft class in assists and points despite ranking fifth in games played. He is the Capitals franchise’s all time assists leader and has assisted on 279 of Ovechkin’s 822 career goals. That’s the most of any teammate.
Only Wayne Gretzky and Brian Trottier have more assists with a single teammate. Among active players, only Crosby has more assists.
#1 Alex Ovechkin
Can Alex Ovechkin break out of his recent slump where he’s gone two consecutive games without a shot on goal for the first time in his career?
No better team to break out of a slump against than the Montreal Canadiens where Ovechkin has had multiple four goal games against them throughout the course of his career. Last year he also had a hat trick against them on New Years Eve at Capital One Arena.
Alex Ovechkin has recorded 64 points in 55 career games against Montreal which includes 37 goals and 27 assists. His 37 goals and 64 points are the most among active players.
In 26 career games at Bell Centre, Ovechkin has registered 30 points with 16 goals and 14 assists. His 16 goals at Bell Centre are the fourth most he has scored at a visiting arena outside of the Capitals’ division during his tenure.
Ovechkin has recorded three hat tricks in his career against the Canadiens. That is tied for the most he has recorded against a single opponent. He’s also had three hat tricks against the Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators in his career.
Must Read. Alex Ovechkin comments on his latest on ice struggles. light
After losing 6-1, the Caps need a good game from everyone up and down the lineup and that starts with captain Alex Ovechkin. You can catch the game at 7 p.m. on Monumental Sports Network.