Pregame Notes: Washington Capitals vs. Detroit Red Wings

 The Caps return home to the Verizon Center for the first of a three game home stand when the Red Wings come to town today. The Caps had a disappointing overtime loss to the Flyers on Thursday and look to rebound. Here is the lineup for tonight's game.


Forwards:

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Burakovsky
Johansson-Kuznetsov-Brouwer
Laich-Fehr-Ward
Chimera-Beagle-Wilson


Defense and Goalies:

Orpik-Carlson
Alzner-Niskanen
Hillen-Green


Holtby
Copley



Other Notes:

*Phoenix Copley was called up from the Hershey Bears as Justin Peters is going to get a couple games in Hershey. Peters had a good game for the Bears last night blanking the Albany Devils 4-0.

*Steve Olesky has also been called up and will be a healthy scratch tonight against Detroit. That means Nate Schmidt has been assigned to the Bears as well. Schmidt started the season off hot, but has lost his spot to Jack Hillen and played sub par against the Flyers. This won't be the last time we see him has he is an important part of the Caps future in my opinion.

*The lines will stay the same against the Red Wings which means Andre Burakovsky will stay in and Michael Latta will stay out. Burakovsky had assist in Philly on Thursday.

*The line of Brooks Laich, Eric Fehr, and Joel Ward have to set the tempo tonight against the Red Wings. They have been very good when it comes to puck possession and the Caps will need that tonight.

*Karl Alzner has been on a goal scoring streak this year with 4, but his play with Matt Niskanen in the Caps zone has been good the last 16 games. They have developed some good chemistry.

*Braden Holtby will assume his position in between the pipes tonight has he continues to be the Caps work horse. Holtby, maybe having his best year of his career and has given the Caps a chance to win every night. It was a big save late in the third on Thursday on Brayden Schenn that at least secured a point.

*Tonight is yet another big game as the Islanders beat the Devils in overtime last night, and the Rangers  are winning at a rapid rate as well. The Caps keep accumulating points which is good because right now they are sitting in a playoff spot. However, there is still a battle for the division so even if they Caps just get into the playoffs that's all they need to do.

*Gametime 7 p.m on CSN