Washington Capitals (26-12-4 56pts) v. Boston Bruins (25-14-4 54pts)
Time: 7p EST
Station: NBC Sports Washington and NESN
Preview:
The Washington Capitals head to Boston to take on the red hot Bruins. Currently the Bruins are on a five game winning streak which has been to the affect of their lineup becoming healthy, especially on the blue line. Meanwhile, the Capitals have won two straight and look to continue their winning ways against the Bruins.
CAPS TODAY: Last time the Caps played the Bruins, Washington won 7-0, setting a NHL record for the largest shutout victory by a defending Stanley Cup champion in a season opener. More info on the Caps and the schedule on https://t.co/HecIC0ECg1 pic.twitter.com/hZG0botI7m
— Capitals PR (@CapitalsPR) January 10, 2019
GAME NOTES: The Capitals look to extend their win streak against the Boston Bruins to 14 games tomorrow night. https://t.co/k3yyN4ZqDt pic.twitter.com/Ev5S8Drigp
— Capitals PR (@CapitalsPR) January 9, 2019
Washington Capitals:
Projected Lineup:
Burakovsky, Bowey and Jaskin are the healthy scratches.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 10, 2019
Keys to the Game:
1. Be consistent in the faceoff circle
The key to puck control is based on how well you do in the faceoff circle. Win the faceoff, you gain control right away. Lose the faceoff, and now your chasing. The other night against Philadelphia the Flyers were dominating the Capitals in the faceoff circle, but it didn’t look that way due to the Capitals better play in all three zones. The Bruins are not the Flyers and are more of a threat when they have puck possession and faceoffs will be a key to their success.
2. Shock the powerplay
The Capitals need their powerplay to be clicking against the Bruins. While their penalty kill has been on the rise since the return of Brooks Orpik to the lineup, however, the same cannot be said for the powerplay that is stagnant and predictable.
Boston Bruins:
Projected Lineup:
Brad Marchand — Patrice Bergeron — David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk — David Krejci — David Backes
Sean Kuraly — Noel Acciari — Chris Wagner
Ryan Donato — Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson — Danton Heinen
Zdeno Chara — Brandon Carlo
Torey Krug — John Moore
Matt Grzelcyk — Kevan Miller
Tuukka Rask
Jaroslav Halak
Scratched: Colby Cave, Steven Kampfer
Injured: Charlie McAvoy (lower body), Joakim Nordstrom (fractured fibula)
Keys to the Game:
1. Stick to the plan
The Bruins are on a five game winning streak, and it is a result of solid team play and sticking to the gameplan. If the Bruins can force their game on the Capitals, this will be a good game for them.
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