Calgary Flames (33-13-5 71pts) v. Washington Capitals (27-17-6 60pts)
Time: 7p EST
Station: NBC Sports Washington and Sportsnet West
Preview:
It’s time to get back to work for the Washington Capitals after having the past week and a half off for the All Star Break and Bye Week. The Capitals return from their break in the midst of a seven game losing streak as they play host to the red hot Calgary Flames.
For the Capitals the break was much needed for the entire team as we all could see that they were fatigued from all of the hockey they have been playing the past 16 months, and with preseason, regular season, and playoffs combined the Capitals have played 170 games, which is a lot of hockey. The Capitals will be the first to admit that they were tired from all of the hockey they have played, and with yesterday’s practice it can be said that the time off came at the right time as the players looked refreshed.
Calgary Flames:
Projected Lineup:
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Elias Lindholm
Matthew Tkachuk – Mikael Backlund – Michael Frolik
Sam Bennett – Mark Jankowski – James Neal
Andrew Mangiapane – Derek Ryan – Garnet Hathaway
Mark Giordano – TJ Brodie
Noah Hanifin – Travis Hamonic
Oliver Kylington – Rasmus Andersson
Mike Smith
Keys to the Game:
1. Test the Capitals
The Capitals say they are refreshed and ready to go into the playoff push, and the Flames need to go out there and test the Capitals. Calgary needs to force the play and really push the Capitals tonight.
Washington Capitals:
Projected Lineup:
Caps expected lineup:
Stephenson-Backstrom-Oshie
Vrana-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Jaskin-Eller-Connolly
Burakovsky-Dowd-DSPKempny-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-SiegenthalerHoltby to start
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 1, 2019
Keys to the Game:
1. Get a good start
Despite getting their well needed rest, the Capitals still are on a 7 game losing streak, and will be looking to end it tonight. If the Capitals can get a quick goal and get the Capital One Arena crowd buzzing, this could be the night the Capitals need.
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