The Washington Capitals continue their season-long four-game homestand when they face the Anaheim Ducks tonight for the second and final time this season. The Caps have posted a record of 8-1-4 at Capital One Arena this season and are one of three NHL teams with just one regulation loss at home. Washington lost the first matchup to Anaheim in overtime, 3-2, on Nov. 16 at the Honda Center. The Capitals have won eight of their last 14 games against the Ducks and have earned a point in 13 of their last 19 games against Anaheim (11-6-2). Alex Ovechkin has earned 26 points (12g, 14a) in 21 games against Anaheim in his career. The Capitals have posted a 10-4-0 record against the Ducks in games when Ovechkin earns a point.
Tonight's game against the Ducks will mark Peter Laviolette's 82nd game as the head coach of the Capitals. Laviolette was named the 19th head coach in franchise history on Sept. 15, 2020. Currently at a record of 51-19-11 over the last two seasons, Laviolette is the only coach in franchise history to earn 50 wins within his first 82 games. Regardless of the result tonight, Laviolette will have the best 82-game start in franchise history by a head coach.
| COACH | GP | W | L | T | O | PTS | W% | PTS% |
| Peter Laviolette | 81 | 51 | 19 | 0 | 11 | 113 | 0.630 | 0.698 |
| Bruce Boudreau | 82 | 48 | 24 | 0 | 10 | 106 | 0.585 | 0.646 |
| Todd Reirden | 82 | 48 | 26 | 0 | 8 | 104 | 0.585 | 0.634 |
| Barry Trotz | 82 | 45 | 26 | 0 | 11 | 101 | 0.549 | 0.616 |
| Adam Oates | 82 | 45 | 31 | 0 | 6 | 96 | 0.549 | 0.585 |
| Ron Wilson | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 0 | 92 | 0.488 | 0.561 |
There have been 20 instances in NHL history of a head coach earning at least 50 wins within his first 82 games. With a win tonight against Anaheim, Laviolette's points percentage will rise to .701%, which will tie for the ninth-highest points percentage by a head coach among this group. Laviolette, who recorded the most wins by an American-born coach in NHL history on Oct. 13 against the New York Rangers and passed Pat Quinn for the 11th most wins in NHL history on Nov. 24th against the Montreal Canadiens, is now four wins shy of passing Dick Irvin (691) for the 10th-most wins in NHL history.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Today
10:30 a.m.: Morning skate, MedStar Capitals Iceplex
7 p.m.: Washington vs. Anaheim Ducks, Capital One Arena
Post-game: Select players and head coach Peter Laviolette will be available in the Capitals interview room
TV: NBCSW, NHLN
Radio: 106.7 The Fan, Caps Radio 24/7
Tuesday, Dec. 7
Day off
Wednesday, Dec. 8
11 a.m.: Practice, MedStar Capitals Iceplex
Thursday, Dec. 9
11 a.m.: Practice, MedStar Capitals Iceplex
Dec. 6, 2021
Must Read/See/Hear Material
Caps Clips:
Dump 'n Chase: Caps host Ducks on Monday / POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Caps 3, Jackets 1 / Caps close out Columbus, 3-1
Washington Post: Alex Ovechkin nets No. 750 as Capitals hang Blue Jackets out to dry
NBC Sports Washington: Caps take step in right direction by protecting a third period lead / Ovechkin shows age when answering if he knew Daniil Tarasov / Caps snap 2-game skid with win over Columbus / Ovechkin reaches 750 career goals faster than Howe, Jagr / Trevor van Riemsdyk unavailable due to NHL COVID-19 protocol / NHL starting goalies: Latest news on all 32 teams (Washington Capitals mentioned)
The Athletic: Blue Jackets get going late, drop fourth straight; Alex Ovechkin gets No. 750: 5 Observations
NHL.com: Ovechkin scores 750th goal, Capitals share funny picture gaining on Jagr / Ovechkin scores NHL goal No. 750 in Capitals win against Blue Jackets / Ovechkin scores goal No. 750 for Capitals / Capitals host clinic for hockey players with disabilities / NHL Buzz: Marner game-time decision for Maple Leafs against Wild (Washington Capitals mentioned)
Washington Times: Overtime losses mar Capitals' first-place records
AP: Ovechkin and Washington take on Anaheim / Ovechkin scores 750th career goal, Capitals beat Columbus
The Hockey News: Weekly NHL Roundup: Who you need to know (Washington Capitals mentioned)
NBC Sports: Ovechkin reaches 750 goals: Updated chase for Gretzky's 894
Axios: Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin is unstoppable
Columbus Dispatch: Loss to Capitals leaves Blue Jackets winless on road trip
NBC Sports Edge: Stars in Net (Ilya Samsonov mentioned)
Toronto Star: Inside the NHL: Alex Ovechkin's contract might be a Capital offence, and Jason Spezza's love of the game
Yahoo Sports: Power Five: Leafs, Capitals, Oilers a cut above the rest
Broadcast:
Washington Capitals: Postgame | Peter Laviolette / Postgame | Protas and Irwin / Postgame | Ovechkin and Oshie
NBC Sports Washington: On the Capitals Hosting an American Special Hockey Association Skate (7 p.m.)
Sportsnet: Capitals' Ovechkin cashes in vs. Blue Jackets for 750th career goal
WJLA-TV ABC 7: On the Capitals Canine Calendar Benefitting WTAR and MSE Foundation (11 p.m.)
WTTG-TV FOX 5: On the Capitals Hosting an American Special Hockey Association Skate (7 a.m.)
Anaheim Ducks Clips
The Athletic: Ducks tested with Ryan Getzlaf sidelined (and possibly Adam Henrique) / Ducks' recent results show they don't need to rely on a 'safe is death' mentality against a key foe / Jack Hughes has his new contract with the Devils, so what might it mean for Trevor Zegras and the Ducks?
AnaheimDucks.com: Ducks recall Groulx, place Getzlaf on IR / Recap: Ducks erase two-goal deficit, fall 4-3 in shootout
Los Angeles Times: Ducks' comeback falls short in shootout loss to Calgary / Elliott: Ducks-Kings is still hockey at its most entertaining, if not yet its most skillful
Orange County Register: Ducks getting much-needed offensive boost from their defensemen / Ducks can't complete rally, lose to Flames in shootout / Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf get mixed medical news
