Caps (37-20-10, 84 points) vs. Oilers (23-36-8, 54 points)
What » Game #68
Where » Verizon Center
When » 7 p.m.
TV » CSN HD
Radio » WFED-1500 AM
The Capitals haven’t always responded well in these situations. Edmonton comes in with the second-worst record in the NHL tonight. Washington has won five in a row, including an emotional shootout victory at Tampa Bay on Monday. Will they be ready to play against the young, but undermanned Oilers? Or are we in for another slow start from one of the worst first-period teams in the league? Only Edmonton (-26), Colorado (-21), Toronto (-21) and Columbus (-16) are worse than the Caps (-14).
“I don’t have the perfect formula because we’ve had that happen a couple times this year,” said Caps forward Matt Bradley. “Bruce talked about it after having an intense game like that against Tampa and then coming back here against a team we don’t see too often in Edmonton. We can’t have a letdown. We have to be ready to play. Because any team in this league can make you look pretty stupid.”
No Nicklas Backstrom tonight. He will miss “a game or two”, according to Boudreau. Mike Green is out indefinitely, of course, and isn’t even listed on the active roster tonight. That mean’s he’s on injured reserve for sure and most likely on long-term injured reserve. Have to miss 10 games or 24 days in that case. Green will sit for the sixth consecutive game so he would be out through the Detroit game, at least.
Semyon Varlamov – though he skated briefly today – doesn’t appear any closer to a return. Instead, Braden Holtby will start after a fine performance in Tampa in relief of Michal Neuvirth, who is able to serve as the backup. But forward Eric Fehr is back after missing 22 games with a shoulder injury.
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