Caps Moving Forward
By now everyone knows that the Caps traded Brooks Laich and that he, along with D-Man Connor Carrick will be in the Leafs’ line-up tonight. But it is time to move forward and tonight we should see just how this newly adjusted Caps team is doing. They still have the hurdle of the first period slump and the third period comeback to overcome. Coach continues the shifting of lines and though we have some projections, we aren’t really sure it matters much once the game starts. Here’s what to expect:
Caps Line Projections (But don’t hold us to it)
Forwards
Ovechkin Backstrom Oshie
Burakovsky Kuznetsov Williams
Chimera Johansson Wilson
Winnik Richards Beagle (Galiev/Latta not likely)
Defensemen
Alzner Niskanen
Orpik Orlov
Schmidt Weber
Goalies
We expect Grubauer in tonight backed up by Holtby
What the Leafs Bring
They have a new roster which played together for the first time on Monday. Apparently there is a strange new alliance between Brooks and William Nylander stretching back to Nylander’s dad’s (Michael) time with the Caps. Prediction is that much of this game will be determined by who does better on the power play and power-play kill. The new players make this an unpredictable team.
Forwards
Soshnikov Kadri Komarov
Grabner Nylander Hyman
Boyes Holland Kapanen
Greening Smith Laich
Defensemen
Humwick Rielly
Gardiner Corrado
Marincin Carrick
Goalies
Bernier expected in the net backed up by Sparks
Don’t forget to check us out later for great game shots on Twitter (incoldplacedc) and Instagram (friendsincoldplaces) AND tune in at 630 pm when we Periscope warmups live from Verizon Center.