After a loss to the Montreal Canadiens, the Washington Capitals travel to Nashville to face the Predators.
To put it bluntly, the Capitals’ five-on-five play has been subpar since returning from the holiday break. Tonight offers a chance to regain their form, but with just 25 hours between games, they face a tough challenge against a rested Predators squad.
Ethen Frank, who earned his first NHL point against the Canadiens, returns to the lineup after Spencer Carbery called him arguably the team’s best player in the previous game. Carbery also noted that consistent play is often the challenge for Hershey prospects at the NHL level.
Logan Thompson will start in goal again, despite playing the previous night, due to Charlie Lindgren’s injury. The Capitals called up Hunter Shepard this morning to back up Thompson.
The game between the Capitals and Predators will air on Monumental Sports Network, with Joe Beninati and Alan May on the call. Puck drop is at 8:00 pm. Thankfully, this will be the last time this season we have to endure the clashing Devo helmets.
Lines:
Washington Capitals:
Ovechkin
Strome
McMichael
Protas
Dubois
Wilson
Raddysh
Eller
Frank
Duhaime
Dowd
Mangiapane
Sandin
Carlson
Chychrun
TVR
Fehervary
Roy
Thompson
Shepard
Nashville Predators:
Forsberg
Stamkos
Marchessault
Nyquist
O’Reilly
Hinostroza
Novak
Svechkov
L’Heureux
Jankowski
McCarron
Sissons
Josi
Barron
Skjei
Blankenburg
Stastney
Schenn
Saros
Annunen
1st Period:
Puck drops.
The Capitals look sluggish early on.
It’s one of those “tractor pull” first periods, as Craig Laughlin would say.
The Capitals only manage 5 shots. This is becoming a concerning trend.
At intermission: The Predators lead in shots, 8 to 5, and are out-attempting the Capitals 24 to 13 at five-on-five. No goals or penalties.
2nd Period:
Puck drops.
Hey, the Capitals get a power play! Nick Blankenburg goes to the box 41 seconds in for tripping Aliaksei Protas.
The Capitals fail to register a shot during the man advantage.
Still no shots for the Caps this period.
Roman Josi heads to the box for tripping at 7:56 of the period.
1-0 Washington Capitals. Power-play goal by Tom Wilson (19), assisted by D. Strome (34). Time: 09:03.
On their sixth shot of the game, and first of the period, Wilson scores in front of the net. This team somehow still has life.
Logan Thompson comes up big with a save on a Predators’ two-on-one.
At 15:32, Taylor Raddysh heads to the box for holding Roman Josi. Can’t blame him—Josi’s a handsome guy.
1-1 tie. Predators score on the power play: Filip Forsberg (11), assisted by J. Marchessault (17). Time: 16:14.
It’s a cosmic twist.
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