Pregame Notes: Washington Capitals vs. New York Islanders

 The Caps had a couple days off after a busy weekend that saw them go 1-1-1 on a three game road trip. Tonight the Caps host the desperate Islanders who are looking to clinch a playoff berth. However injuries have been hurting them, and they are coming into D.C having played last night. There was a optional morning skate so here is my projected lineup for tonight.

Forwards:

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

Defense and Goalies:

Alzner-Niskanen
Schmidt-Carlson
Orpik-Orlov

Holtby
Grubauer


Other Notes:

*From what I have read it looks that Michael Latta will return to the lineup tonight, and Stan Galiev will sit. This is probably due to the fact that the Islanders 4th line is tough, Latta might be able to stand that better.

*Nick Backstrom will be out again tonight as he recovers from a upper body injury. Backs said to the media that he is not going to return until he is 100% which is smart at this point of the season.

*Braden Holtby will have a chance to tie Martin Brodeur's season wins record. Holts is at 47, an will probably play 3 of the final 4 games left this season. I think this is important because this gives the Caps something to play for the final week of the season.

*With Backstrom out again I would like to see Marcus Johansson play a more important role offensively. Come playoff time they will need him to produce a little bit even if he is the third line center.

*Overall this will be a good test for the last week of the season. The Islanders will bring effort tonight and the Caps will have to play with intensity. It could be a big night for Braden Holtby, and its a team the Caps don't like. So, it should be a good one tonight.


Gametime 7:00 p.m on CSN