The Washington Capitals will enter tonight's contest against the Vancouver Canucks on an eight game home point streak with a 6-0-2 record and are 52-41-9-3 all time against them. That also includes 7-1-2 against Vancouver dating back to the 2018-19 season. For newcomer and defenseman Matt Roy, he is expected to suit up for his 400th career NHL game.
Roy signed a six year contract with the Capitals on July 1 and has played 30 of his 399 career games with Washington and 369 with the Los Angeles Kings. He was drafted by LA in the seventh round at 194th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft.
Roy's 399 career games played are the second most among active defensemen who were drafted in the seventh round (MacKenzie Weegar: 206th overall in 2013, 509 games played). Roy was the 67th defenseman taken in 2015 and ranks eighth among defensemen from his draft class in points with 114 while tied for eighth in assists with 89 and ninth in both goals with 25 and games played.
In 30 games this season, Roy has recorded eight points with a goal and seven assists as well as a plus/minus of +3. He also ranks second among Capitals defensemen in hits with 66 despite missing 10 games due to injury. In additon, Roy ranks tied for third among Washington blueliners in ice time per gam eat 19:30 and fourth in shorthanded ice time per game at 1:37.
Last season the Capitals split the season series with the Vancouver Canucks with the road team winning each contest. Alex Ovechkin led the Capitals with two points in the form of two goals during those contests last season. The Great Eight now sits 22 shy of tying Wayne Gretzky and 23 away from passing him.
Once again your friendly reminder that puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. from Capital One Arena on Monumental Sports Network 2. You can also listen to the game on 106.7 The Fan and Caps Radio 24/7.