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GDT: Canes v. Caps 11/11 7:00

A

andyt

Canes Moderator
Staff member
The first of 4 meetings against the Caps kicks off a short 3 game home stand.

The team didn’t practice yesterday and there was no word on Legault’s condition. If he can’t go, and Ghost isn’t cleared, it looks like Gavin Bayreuther will make his Canes debut. He’s played 122 NHL games, the last one in April 2023 for the Blue Jackets. He played for Lausanne in the Swiss League last year. They’re skating this morning, so we’ll see. Andersen should get the start in goal.

After a surprising run to the top of the Metro Division last year, the Caps are stuck in neutral, NHL .500 with 15 points in 15 games, 7th in the Metro. They’ve only won 1 of their last 7 and aren’t scoring, with only 16 goals in that stretch. They’re in the middle of an east coast roadie, having lost to the Pens and Lightning and close it out on Thursday against the Panthers. Tom Wilson leads with 9 goals, Dylan Strome has 10 assists. Alex Ovechkin only has 3 goals, Connor McMichael has just 1 after a 24 goal season last year. While they’re not scoring,they’re getting great goaltending from Logan Thompson. He leads the league with a 1.61 GAA and is 2nd with a .930 Save % in 10 starts. Charlie Lindgren backs up, he’s been bad, 3.59/.878 in 5 starts. The Caps are 22nd in goals per game but lead the league in goals against per game at 2.47. Their offensive woes have affected the PP, they’re 28th. The PK isn’t much better, 27th in the league.

Black jerseys tonight. FanDuel for TV
 
Washington's scoring depth was always a little suspect, and having DuBois out long term ain't helping them. I feel like a lot of the pre season projections for Washington were WAY too optimistic about players who had career or breakout years carrying that forward. Oh and don't forget that Ovechkin wasn't supposed to regress for some reason. Yeah. You only get one age defying season per team and apparently John Carlson signed up before Ovie. Good thing for the Caps that Carlson and Chychrun are pitching in on offense because they're getting a big bag of not as much as they need from Leonard, Protas and McMichael. If Logan Thompson wasn't giving Washington .930 shot stopping the Caps could easily be dueling with Calgary for DFL.

Carolina's obvious play here is to depth them to death and take advantage of first change by sticking to a 4 line roll pretty much all game. The D is a crazy quilt either way, so I'd worry less about our matchups and make the Caps worry about theirs.
 
Lines and pairings for the skate. Looks like Ghost is back, he’s also running PP1. Andersen in the starter’s crease.

Svechnikov-Aho-Jarvis
Ehlers-Stankoven-Blake
Martinook-Staal-Carrier
Hall-Kotkaniemi-Robinson
Jankowski

Miller-Walker
Nikishin-Gostisbehere
Reilly-Nystrom
Bayreuther

PP1: Gotisbehere, Aho, Svechnikov, Ehlers, Jarvis
PP2: Miller, Walker, Hall, Stankoven, Blake
 
Honestly, I kind of liked PP1 with Miller on the point. He doesn't have a huge shot, but he gathers and moves the puck well and makes quick decisions. I felt like he created a bit more space for Aho and Ehlers with his puck movement.
 
Tonight’s Officials:

Referees:
Brandon Schrader #34, Graham Skilliter #24

Linesmen:
Ryan Jackson #84, Jonny Murray #95
 
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