Fansided

Top 3 key Capitals to watch against NY Rangers

Tonight the entire universe will be fixated on Washington as the Capitals take on the New York Rangers on ESPN

By Michael Marzzacco |
Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
3 of 3
Next

The Washington Capitals gear up for a Tuesday night affair with the New York Rangers on ESPN in what is sure to be a big battle in a playoff rematch from the spring. Here are the top 3 key Capitals players to watch in tonight's battle. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m.

#3 Alex Ovechkin

Today in 2019 not only did the Washington Nationals save their season but the Caps also defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs behind Alex Ovechkin's 668th and 669th career goals. He would pass Luc Robitallie for 12th place on the
NHL's all time goals list.

Ovechkin will be counted on to wake up a struggling power play. Even though the Caps are 5-2-0, their power play has been lackluster.

Ovechkin is good against the Rangers. He enters play tonight with 42 goals and 25 assists for 67 points including 19 power play goals in 73 career games against the Rangers.

Per NHL Stats, Ovechkin can become the 15th player in NHL history and the only active skater to record 20 career power play goals against multiple franchises. He also has 20 career power play goals against Pittsburgh. Of course he needs 40 to pass Wayne Gretzky.

Connor McMichael, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Connor McMichael, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images / John Jones-Imagn Images

#2 Connor McMichael

Congrats to the Connor McMichael family on the birth of their new kid. He'll be looking to use his dad strength tonight along with Tom Wilson against the beasts of the east in the New York Rangers. McMichael's four game point streak came to an end on Oct. 26 against Tampa Bay.

McMichael recorded three straight multi point games ranking second on the Caps in assists with five and points with eight while tied for second in goals with three and tied for first in plus minus with a plus six. His four game point streak was tied for the longest of his career which was from March 30 through March 26 with three goals, two assists and five points.

McMichael set career highs in goals, assists, points and games played last season with 18 goals and 15 assists for 33 points in 80 games played and it's nearly a quarter of the way toward his point total from last season just seven games into the season.

In practice news, Logan Thompson was the first goalie off the ice. He will get the nod tonight against the Rangers. Before we get to number one the Caps betting odds on Caesars Sportsbook Capitals as +1.5 point underdogs at home. The moneyline is set at -155 for the Rangers and +130 for the Caps with an over/under of 6.0. Without further ado here's number one.

Dylan Strome, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Dylan Strome, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

#1 Dylan Strome

Dylan Strome has a six game season opening streak that came to an end on Oct. 26 at Tampa Bay. His season opening point streak was the longest by a Capital since Alex Ovechkin recorded a poin in eight straight games to start the 2021-22 campaign. Strome's six game point streak was also tied for the longest of his career, a feat he has accomplished five other times, per the game notes.

Strome leads the Caps in points with nine and six assists. Among NHL skaters with at least seven games played, Strome ranks tied for 16th in points per game through games played Oct. 27. Last year, Strome didn't record his ninth point of the season until his 16th game on Nov. 22.

Strome led the Caps in points last season with 27 goals and 40 assists for 67 points in 82 games and became the first player other than Alex Ovechkin to finish an 82 game season as Washington's points leader since Nicklas Backstrom in 2016-17.

Once again puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. and you can catch it on ESPN if you can't make it out to the District.

feed

Next
Home / Capitals News

Schedule