The Caps are in Long Island for the first of 2 big games this week against the New York Islanders. The Caps currently are 9 points behind the Islanders and Penguins in the Metropolitan Division and are in danger of putting themselves out of the race early on. However, a strong week can put them back in the race. Now the Caps only have 9 players on the ice for a optional morning skate so I can't tell what the lineup will be till warmups.
What to Watch:
*I do expect Braden Holtby to start for the Caps tonight. Holtby has played very well and is going to need to be very good to beat the Islanders.
*Alex Ovechkin is questionale for tonight's game after leaving practice early on Tuesday with a upper body injury. If Ovechkin can't play then it's possible Andre Burakovsky might play on the top line as he was on that line during practice Tuesday.
*Mike Green has a upper body injury and is day to day. So, that mean Jack Hillen will get into the lineup for the first time since opening night. Hillen has been nothing but a class act since becoming a healthy scratch on a nightly basis.
*The Caps will have to keep John Tavares and Brock Nelson under wraps. The Islanders defense has gotten better with the addition of Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy. Also the Caps should see Jaroslav Halak in net for the Isles.
*The Islanders speed will be tough for the Caps but also take the active boards of Nassau Coliseum into consideration. That can also benefit the Caps as well as be something that can hurt them.
*Brooks Laich most likely will not play again tonight, though it seems that he is nearing a return. Barry Trotz and company are not going to force him back this time.
*Gametime 7 p.m on CSN
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