Gameday Preview – 12/6/2018 – Washington Capitals v. Arizona Coyotes

 

 

Washington Capitals (15-9-3 33pts) v. Arizona Coyotes (13-11-2 28pts)

 

Time: 9p EST

Station: NBC Sports Washington and Fox Sports Arizona+

 

Preview:

The Washington Capitals will be looking to get themselves back on their winning ways as they take on the red hot Arizona Coyotes who are currently on a four game winning streak.

 

Washington Capitals:

Projected Lineup:

 

Keys to the Game:

1. Play a full 60 minutes

For a second straight game the Capitals went into the 3rd period with a lead, and for the second straight game they blew it with poor play, and a lack of effort, especially in their own zone. The Capitals have to do a much better job at protecting their leads and playing a full 60 minutes.

 

2. Test the kid

Adin Hill has been spectacular so far for the Coyotes and is a huge reason for their 4 game winning streak. The Capitals will need to make him work, and really test him, especially early on in the game.

 

Arizona Coyotes:

Projected Lineup:

Alex Galchenyuk – Nick Schmaltz – Clayton Keller

Richard Panik – Derek Stepan – Christian Fischer

Mario Kempe – Brad Richardson – Vinnie Hinostroza

Lawson Crouse – Nick Cousins – Josh Archibald

Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Kevin Connauton

Jakob Chychrun – Niklas Hjalmarsson

Alex Goligoski – Jordan Oesterle

Adin Hill

Calvin Pickard

Scratched: Ilya Lyubushkin

Injured: Michael Grabner (eye), Jason Demers (lower body), Christian Dvorak (upper body), Darcy Kuemper (lower body), Antti Raanta (lower body)

 

Keys to the Game:

1. Force mistakes

The Capitals have not played solid hockey these past two games, and the Coyotes need to take advantage of that fact.