The Caps are on a roll as they make their first trip to Madison Square Garden this season. The thing is the Rangers are just as hot as the Caps right now. Tonight is a big opportunity for the Caps as a win will give them a 4 point lead on the Rangers for 3rd in the Metro Division. Now their is no morning skate with back to back games so I will not know the lineup till gametime.
Other Notes:
*Barry Trotz might consider giving Braden Holtby another start tonight despite playing last night. However, the Caps have a few days off after tonight's game so we will have to wait and see. It does look like the Rangers will have "The King" Henrik Lundqvist in the net tonight.
*From what I have read we might see Andre Burakovsky and Nate Schmidt back in the lineup tonight. It is unclear who both of them will replace, so will have to wait till pregame warmups to see. It looks like Barry Trotz might want a couple guys with fresh legs in.
*Nick Backstrom is playing great hockey, and he can be a difference maker tonight. His defensive play will be vital to tonight's outcome.
*Someone the Caps have to be aware of tonight is Rick Nash who is having a fantastic start to his season. He is already in the 20 goal category.
*Tonight will be another battle between Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi and Alex Ovechkin. In my opinion they are one of the best defensive pairs in the NHL, it will be fun to see how the Caps do against them.
*The Caps recent success is due to getting all 4 lines rollings and playing well. No longer are the Caps depending all on Ovechkin and Backstrom. As Jay Beagle, Joel Ward, Eric Fehr, and the new defense corp have made the Caps a tough team to play against.
*A big key to tonight's game is to remain physical. The Caps have forchecked very well in the last 9 games and that's why they are starting to win. I know they played last night but this is a playoff caliber game tonight against the defending Eastern Conference Champions.
*One last thing is that the Caps need to continue to get to the front of the net. Henrik Lundqvist is a great goaltender, and the way you can score on him is shooting high and getting in front of the net and try to make him feel uncomfortable.
*Gametime 7 p.m on CSN
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