Capitals at Predators preview
Washington seeks to extend point streak; Nashville coach Laviolette looks to climb wins list
by Robby Stanley / NHL.com Independent Correspondent
CAPITALS (2-0-2) at PREDATORS (2-1-0)
8 p.m. ET; NBCSWA, FS-TN, NHL.TV
The Game
The Washington Capitals will try to open their season with their longest point streak since the 2014-15 season when they play at the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday.
The Capitals, who began the 2014-15 season 3-0-2, have gotten at least one point in each of their four games, losing their past two games in overtime.
Predators coach Peter Laviolette is one win from passing Bryan Murray (620) for sole possession of 17th place on the NHL's all-time wins list.
Players to watch
Capitals defenseman John Carlson has five points (one goal, four assists) in four games.
Predators forward Filip Forsberg has four points (three goals, one assist) in a three-game point streak.
They said it
"They're a pretty deep team. You know, especially at home, they're going to play with a lot of energy. Their [defensemen] will join the rush more than any other team in the League I would say. They've got some dynamic guys back there, so it's important for us to make sure we're smart with the pucks around the lines, get pucks deep and finish our checks so they can't join." -- Capitals forward Carl Hagelin on defending against Nashville's defenseman joining the rush
"I think just being close to him all the time and making sure he doesn't get that extra second, that extra step, that extra little bit of ice that makes sure he gets the shot off where he wants it. With any top player in the League, you have to pay attention every second that he's out there. Nothing different tonight. We've played him a bunch of times, so I expect nothing different." -- Nashville defenseman Mattias Ekholm on the challenge defending Alex Ovechkin
Capitals projected lineup
Alex Ovechkin -- Nicklas Backstrom -- Tom Wilson
Jakub Vrana -- Evgeny Kuznetsov -- T.J. Oshie
Carl Hagelin -- Lars Eller -- Richard Panik
Brendan Leipsic -- Chandler Stephenson -- Garnet Hathaway
Jonas Siegenthaler -- John Carlson
Dmitry Orlov -- Nick Jensen
Radko Gudas -- Tyler Lewington
Braden Holtby
Ilya Samsonov
Scratched: Nic Dowd
Injured: Michal Kempny (hamstring)
Predators projected lineup
Calle Jarnkrok -- Ryan Johansen -- Viktor Arvidsson
Filip Forsberg -- Matt Duchene -- Mikael Granlund
Colton Sissons -- Nick Bonino -- Austin Watson
Daniel Carr -- Kyle Turris -- Craig Smith
Roman Josi -- Ryan Ellis
Mattias Ekholm -- Dante Fabbro
Matt Irwin -- Yannick Weber
Pekka Rinne
Juuse Saros
Scratched: Rocco Grimaldi, Dan Hamhuis
Injured: None
Status report
Kempny traveled with the team but is not expected to play Thursday. … Grimaldi did not participate in the morning skate. ... Backstrom is expected to play in his 900th NHL game.
Stat pack
Ovechkin has 15 points (10 goals, five assists) in 19 games against the Predators. … Forsberg has 11 points (six goals, five assists) in nine games against the Capitals. ... Duchene has six assists in a three-game point streak.