Gameday Preview – 2/17/2019 – Washington Capitals v. Anaheim Ducks

Washington Capitals (32-19-7 71pts) v. Anaheim Ducks (22-27-9 53pts)

Time: 9p EST

Station: NBC Sports Washington and PRIME

Preview:

The Washington Capitals head to Anaheim where the Ducks are ending their homestand by retiring Scott Niedermayer’s #27. The Capitals will be looking to win their second game of their six game road trip. The Ducks on the other hand will be looking for a win period as they have been struggling mightly this season.

CAPS TODAY: Alex Ovechkin is now one goal shy of his 10th 40-goal season of his career. Only three players in NHL history have recorded 10 or more 40 goal seasons (Wayne Gretzky: 12; Marcel Dionne: 10; Mario Lemieux: 10). More info on him and the Caps at https://t.co/HecIC0n0Rr pic.twitter.com/No0Id2qn3J

— Capitals PR (@CapitalsPR) February 17, 2019

Washington Capitals:

Projected Lineup:

Same lines at Caps’ practice in Anaheim.

Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Vrana-Backstrom-Oshie
Burakovsky-Eller-Connolly
Jaskin-Stephenson-DSP

Kempny-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Djoos

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 16, 2019

Reirden said Holtby will start tomorrow.

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 16, 2019

Keys to the Game:

1. Strike fast, strike often

The Capitals need to strike fast on a prone Ducks team that has only won two of their last ten games, and now has the general manager Bob Murray behind the bench. If the Capitals can get the first goal, it will push the Ducks onto their heels, and they will struggle.

Anaheim Ducks:

Projected Lineup:

Rickard Rakell — Ryan Getzlaf — Corey Perry

Daniel Sprong — Adam Henrique — Troy Terry

Devin Shore — Derek Grant — Jakob Silfverberg

Max Jones — Ryan Kesler — Carter Rowney

Cam Fowler — Michael Del Zotto

Hampus Lindholm — Josh Manson

Jaycob Megna — Brandon Montour

Kevin Boyle

Ryan Miller

Scratched: Andy Welinski, Brian Gibbons

Injured: Patrick Eaves (illness), John Gibson (upper body), Chad Johnson (head), Nick Ritchie (illness)

Keys to the Game:

1. Get a good start

The Ducks need a good start in general. This team has been struggling mightly, and it has even costed their coach his job. With general manager Bob Murray behind the bench the Ducks are on the hot seat and Murray wants to see who wants to play.