Canucks forward Emerson Etem said after skating this morning: “Tonight we have to make sure we don’t just focus on one key guy. The Caps have so many weapons.” That pretty much sums it up Caps friends—no one really knows what to do with the Washington Capitals. They have become the team that adjust to any given situation. That makes it hard for other teams to plan ahead. Enjoy the game tonight and don’t forget:
IT’S AN ALEX OVECHKIN CELEBRATION NIGHT!!
Bring your signs and light up the place for him.
Your Projected Lineup for Tonight
Ovechkin Backstrom Oshie
Burakovsky Kuznetsov Williams
Chimera Johansson Wilson
Laich Sill Galiev
Defenseman Parings
Alzner Niskanen
Schmidt Orlov
Ness Chorney
Braden Holtby in the net
Injury Report and Team Scratches
Jay Beagle is recovering nicely from hand surgery. We don’t expect him for another four or five weeks. Even Beags is skating now and working with the trainers before practice starts.
John Carlson is still day-to-day. He is skating before team practice. Should be back before the All Stars.
Brooks Orpik is on the Long-term Injured Reserve list for an undisclosed injury. Like John, should be back before the All Stars.
Mike Richards continues to skate with the team during practice. He is a healthy scratch.
Michael Latta is a healthy and an injury scratch—maybe more precautionary than anything. This is his second in a row.
Canucks Update and Line up
Vancouver held an optional morning skate at Verizon this morning with both goalies and nine or 10 players. the projected lineup is:
D Sedin H. Sedin Dorsett
Baetschi Hovat Vrbata
Burrows Vey Etem
Prust Crackall Virtanen
Defensemen Parings:
Edler Tanev
Hutton Weber
Bartkowski Biega
Goalie: Believed to by Ryan Miller, back from injury.
More Milestones Coming:
Jason Chimera is ONE assist away from an NHL career 200 assists.
Braden Holtby, with 128 career games won is ONE win away from passing Don Beaupre (128) for second place on the Caps franchise list.
Michael Latta is two games away from a career 100 NHL/Capitals games played.
Brooks Laich is three games away from passing beloved Rod Langway’s 726th games played for eight place in the Caps franchise.
Karl Alzner, the Iron Man, is four points away from 100 NHL points and five games short of passing Bob Carpenter (422) for the longest consecutive games played in franchise history.
Next Games and Practices
Jan 15: 1130 Practice at Kettler Capitals Ice Plex
Jan 16: Morning Skate at First Niagra Center
Jan 16: 7pm Buffalo Sabres (CSN+, 106.7, and Caps Radio)
Jan 17: 5pm Rangers at Verizon Center