Capitals Gameday Preview: Team Looking To Leave Holiday Break With A Win
Capitals face tough test against Red-Hot Rangers
Welcome to THW Washington Capitals’ Game Preview, where we discuss every upcoming Capitals game. Before each contest, we will look at the Capitals’ projected lineups, notes, and more.
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Now, let’s get this preview started!
The Capitals (17-9-5) who are fourth in the Metropolitan Division will be taking on the Rangers (23-8-1) who are first in the Metropolitan Division. These two teams battled each other on December 9th, 2023 and the Capitals came out victorious with a 4-0 win so the Rangers will be looking for revenge.
The Capitals are coming off a loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning before the holiday break and will be looking to bounce back while the Rangers are coming off a 4-3 win over the Sabres.
Let’s now take a look at both teams’ projected lineup, game notes, and more.
Capitals’ Projected Lines:
Ovechkin - Strome - Wilson
Protas - McMichael - Mantha
Lapierre - Kuznetsov - Miroshnichenko
Malenstyn - Dowd - Aube-Kubel
Fehevary - Carlson
Sandin - Van Riemsdyk
Edmundson - Jensen
Kuemper
Rangers’ Projected Lines:
Kreider - Zibanejad - Wheeler
Panarin - Trocheck - Lafreniere
Cuylle - Bonino - Brodzinski
Vesey - Goodrow - Pitlick
Lindgren - Fox
Miller - Trouba
Gustafasson - Schneider
Shetserkin
The Capitals have been good to start their 2023-24 season but the Rangers have been red hot. The Rangers come into the game with injuries to forwards Filip Chytil and Kappo Kakko while the Capitals will be without forwards T.J. Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom.
The Capitals have been much worse offensively, scoring 2.39 goals per game while the Rangers have scored 3.34 per game this season. Defensively, the Capitals have been better allowing only 2.68 goals per game while the Rangers have allowed 2.75 goals per game.
This should be a fun game as their first matchup was entertaining. Hopefully, the Capitals can pick up another win against, arguably, the best team in the NHL this season.