Top 3 key Capitals to watch against Hurricanes
A big Metropolitan Division matchup awaits this Friday night between the Washington Capials and Carolina Hurricanes.
The Washington Capitals will look to bounce back from a Wednesday night loss to the New Jersey Devils where they'll be without defenseman Rasmus Sandin due to an illness. Tonight they host the Carolina Hurricanes, here's how to watch and bet on the game.
In other pregame Caps news, T.J. Oshie has gone back to Minnesota for treatment as he's been out of the lineup since Dec. 17 with an injury. It was first a lower body but now it is officially diagnosed as an upper body injury.
Matthew Phillips took the scratches skate so Hendrix Lapierre will draw into the lineup on the right side of the third line with Max Pacioretty and Dylan Strome. This news came via Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post who was in attendance at morning skate.
Here are the top 3 Caps players to watch in tonight's key division matchup:
#3 Evgeny Kuznetsov
Lost in the hype of Alex Ovechkin scoring again, Max Pacioretty's Capitals debut and the resurgence of Anthony Mantha is the rise of Evgeny Kuznetsov.
In Wednesday night's loss to the New Jersey Devils, Kuznetsov recorded two points with a goal and an assist which marked his 130th career multi point game.
His assist helped him bypass Mike Gartner for the fifth most assists in Caps history and Kuzy did it in 46 fewer games played.
#2 Ethan Bear
New Capitals defenseman Ethan Bear recorded his first point with the team with an assist on Jan 2. in a win at the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also logged 18:06 minutes of even strength ice time, which was the third highest total on the team.
During his Capitals debut at home against the Nashville Predators on Dec. 30, Bear logged 20:05 minutes of ice time and posted a plus one plus/minus rating. It was his first NHL game since April 13 and it came just days after he signed a two year contract with Washington on Dec. 28.
With Sandin out, look for Bear to have a good game offensively as Bear takes Sandin's spot on the second power play unit. It is a power play that got better but the offense still needs to play a full 60.
The other night against the Devils perfeclty summed up the entire Capitals season. They started cold. Got hot in the middle of the game. But then flamed out in the end.
To compete with a team like the Hurricanes, who are far better than the Devils, they have to protect the crease for a full 60. It doesn't matter who starts in goal and Bear will be relied upon as he adjusts more.
#1 Anthony Mantha
Anthony Mantha, love him or hate him, has been a beast for the Capitals this season. He has recorded 14 points in his last 18 games with eight goals and six assists and has led the Capitals in points since Nov. 29, per the game notes.
In a Dec. 27th loss to the first place New York Rangers, Mantha scored his 11th goal of the season which marked all of last season's total. It was also his team leading 10th even strength goal.
Mantha's goal at Madison Square Garden opened the scoring and was his fifth game opening goal of the season. He ranks tied for third in the NHL in game opening goals and trails only Sidney Crosby and Connor Bedard for the league lead by three goals.
Seven of Mantha's 11 goals this season have been go ahead goals, while three of them have been game tying goals. That go ahead goal includes the Dec. 27 one even though the Caps lost.
Mantha is on pace for 26 goals this season which would mark a new single season career high. His previous best season was 2018-19 where he had 25 goals with the Detroit Red Wings.
You can catch tonight's game at 7 p.m. on Monumental Sports Network or on the radio at 106.7 The Fan and Caps Radio 24/7.