Pregame Notes: Washington Capitals vs. Nashville Predators

 The Caps look to start a new winning streak tonight as the red hot Nashville Predators come to Verizon Center looking to continue their push to the playoffs. Here is the lineup based on the morning skate.

Forwards:

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Beagle
Burakovsky-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Chimera-Johansson-Williams
Winnik-Richards-Wilson


Defense and Goalies:

Alzner-Niskanen
Orlov-Oprik
Chorney-Schmidt


Holtby
Grubauer


Other Notes:

*Barry Trotz is going to keep the lines the same they were the other night when the Caps were able to beat the Hurricanes. They did have a better start on Tuesday, so we will see if they can continue that tonight.

*I expect Pekka Rinne to be in net tonight even though the Preds played last night. They are pushing to catch the Blackhawks for the third spot in the Central Division.

*Jay Beagle was very good on Tuesday on the top line with Alex Ovechkin and Nick Backstrom. Beagle was fighting for pucks in the corner and playing a hard nosed simple game which I think is something that they needed.

*Justin Williams is fitting in perfectly on the third line. If they keep playing that well than I don't think Barry Trotz has any choice but to keep them together.

*Braden Holtby returns to the net tonight to continue his pursuit of the regular season wins record of 48 which Martin Brodeur set years ago. I thought on Tuesday he looked very sold, made the saves he needed to and look comfortable in the net.

*The Caps defense will have their hands full tonight as the Predators are loaded up front. It will be important for the defensive corp as a whole play well to help Holts out tonight.

*Overall this will be another good test for the Caps leading up into the playoffs. The Caps need to have another solid first period tonight so they can stop all the issues they were having. I think it will be a tough playoff type game tonight because the style of play. We will see what the boys can do.


Gametime 7:00 p.m on CSN