The Washington Capitals continue their season-long four-game homestand tonight when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets at Capital One Arena. The Caps are 7-1-4 on home ice this season and are one of four NHL teams remaining with only one regulation loss at home. Twenty-two different players have goals for the Capitals this season, tied with the Anaheim Ducks for the second-most scorers in the NHL (Vegas Golden Knights: 23 scorers). The Capitals had 22 goal scorers all of last season. The Capitals 3.54 goals per game rate ranks fifth in the NHL this season, and it's the second-highest goal scoring rate over the last 20 seasons in franchise history (2009-10: 3.82).
Tom Wilson enters tonight's game one goal shy of 100 career NHL goals and with points in five of his last six games (3g, 6a). In that span, Wilson recorded three multi-points efforts. Wilson's 23 points (8g, 15a) in 24 games this season are the third most on the team (Alex Ovechkin: 38 points; Evgeny Kuznetsov: 28 points), and his 17 points (6g, 11a) at five-on five are tied for sixth in the NHL. With a goal tonight, the 16th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft could become the sixth member of his draft class to reach the 100-goal mark.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Today
10:30 a.m.: Optional morning skate, MedStar Capitals Iceplex
7 p.m.: Washington vs. Columbus Blue Jackets, Capital One Arena
Post-game: Select players and head coach Peter Laviolette will be available in the Capitals interview room
TV: NBCSW
Radio: 106.7 The Fan, Caps Radio 24/7
Sunday, Dec. 5
Day off
Monday, Dec. 6
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
Dec. 4, 2021
Must Read/See/Hear Material
Caps Clips:
Dump 'n Chase: Caps clash with Columbus / POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Hawks 4, Caps 3 (SO)
Washington Post: Alex Ovechkin is improving at age 36, and teammates have 'never seen anything like it' / Nicklas Backstrom takes another step toward a return for Capitals
NBC Sports Washington: Get to know Tom Wilson: Bio, stats, and more / Capitals center Nic Dowd enters NHL COVID-19 protocols / How to watch Capitals vs. Blue Jackets / Backstrom, Oshie, Sheary all cleared for contact / Caps say they need to close out game better
The Athletic: NHL Power Rankings: We regret to inform everyone that we have a new No. 1. The Toronto Maple Leafs are here (Washington Capitals mentioned)
CBS Sports: NHL Star Power Index: Alex Ovechkin on pace for career year; Connor McDavid continues to dazzle
Seattle Times: Week 8 NHL Power Rankings: Toronto Maple Leafs finding the right balance (Washington Capitals mentioned)
Broadcast:
Washington Capitals: Peter Laviolette | November 3 / Tom Wilson | December 3
WRC-TV NBC 4: On the Capitals Cameo Initiative (11 a.m.)
WWBT-TV NBC: On the Capitals Canine Calendar (11 a.m.)
WUSA-TV CBS 9: On the Capitals Toy Drive (9 a.m.)
Columbus Blue Jackets Clips:
The Athletic: Five observations: Daniil Tarasov plays well in NHL debut; Blue Jackets lose third straight / Blue Jackets report card: Six players earn top marks for play in the season's first quarter / IT was ugly early for the Blue Jacket in a 6-0 loss that raises questions: 5 observations
Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets show small improvement in third straight loss / Matiss Kivlenieks' death ruled accidental by prosecutor / Blue Jackets seek answers after ugly Nashville loss
ColumbusBlueJackets.com: CBJ place G Joonas Korpisalo on injured reserve / Hofmann's adjustment to the NHL full of ups, downs / SvoNotes: Tarasov's whirlwind day ends with impressive NHL debut
