Here's everything to know as the Capitals prep for the Devils and look to get back in the win column.
The Washington Capitals saw frustration start to brew on Tuesday, when despite outplaying the Toronto Maple Leafs, a lack of discipline, missed assignments and a tough go in net resulted in yet another loss, this time a 4-1 defeat. They'll have time to turn the page quickly, though, as they head north to take on the New Jersey Devils.
Washington (1-3-1) will face a tough Devils team (3-1-1) that also played last night and won in a dominant showing over the Montreal Canadiens.
Here's everything to know before puck drop.
Washington Capitals Lines
The line combinations are expected to remain the same, except Hunter Shepard is going to make his NHL debut and start with Darcy Kuemper having played on Tuesday.
Here are the lines:
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Tom Wilson
Connor McMichael-Evgeny Kuznetsov-T.J. Oshie
Sonny Milano-Nicklas Backstrom-Matthew Phillips
Beck Malenstyn-Aliaksei Protas-Anthony Mantha
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Alex Alexeyev-Nick Jensen
Hunter Shepard
Darcy Kuemper
Nic Dowd and Charlie Lindgren remain out with upper-body injuries. Joel Edmundson (hand) and Max Pacioretty (Achilles) are still on the long-term injured reserve.
Washington Capitals Keys To The Game
Despite the lack of results and offense at 5-on-5, the Capitals played relatively well against Toronto, outshooting the club 37-17. Alex Ovechkin, who finally got on th board, had 14 of those shots.
The power play finally started to move around and broke through after 14 failed attempts to open the 2023-24 campaign, as Ovechkin net his 300th career PPG. It will be key to continue to make the most of the man advantage, especially with the team failing to get a lot going at even strength.
Perhaps the biggest key, though, will be figuring it out on defense with Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Tyler Toffoli and more top weapons making up the Devils' forecheck. Also, it's vital to stay out of the box, and if a penalty does happen, the team needs to figure it out on the penalty kill. New Jersey has the best power play to open the season (44 percent), and Washington is 31st when it comes to the PK (68.2).
Martin Fehervary said the key will be making clean clears and reading the ice well, and it is also easier to play when the team isn't trying to come back from behind. The Capitals have surrendered a PPG in each game this season and have trailed 2-0 in five straight games to open the campaign.
Washington Capitals Players To Watch
- Shepard, who helped the Hershey Bears to the Calder Cup last season, will get the nod and make his first NHL start. He was an unsigned free agent and made history at Minnesota-Duluth, and he will look to make the most of this moment.
- Ovechkin finally broke through with career PPG 300, and the goal was also his 925th era-adjusted goal, putting him atop the NHL's all-time scoring list in that department. Meanwhile, he had 14 shots, so look for him to stay hungry.
- John Carlson leads his team in scoring with four points in five games, and all of those points have come in four consecutive outings.
- The Connor McMichael-Evgeny Kuznetsov-T.J. Oshie line is also one to watch, as the trio generated quite a few chances at even strength on Tuesday.
Puck drop is at 7 p.m. ET at Prudential Center.