Following a 2-1 shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday when the Washington Capitals had 44 shots, coach Barry Trotz changed the top two lines at practice Friday. Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie were moved up to the top line with Alex Ovechkin, and Evgeny Kuznetsov and Justin Williams were moved down to the second line with Marcus Johansson. "We're looking to score some goals and play pretty clean in the [defensive] zone," Kuznetsov told Monumental Network on Friday. "I think we all have to play better like a team. We just need to win." Braden Holtby, who made 26 saves Thursday and has started the past five games, could sit in favor of Philipp Grubauer. Washington, which has lost two straight, is 0-for-11 on the power play it its past four games.
Devils team scope
Keith Kinkaid made 43 saves on Thursday and will be back in net. "Certainly he deserves to get back in there and we hope he has another good performance," coach John Hynes said Saturday prior to the game. Cory Schneider has struggled, allowing at least four goals in nine of his past 13 starts. New Jersey will be without forward Taylor Hall, who didn't play Thursday because of a lower-body injury. Hynes said the Devils would have the same forwards but may have a different look on defense. The Devils last won two straight games Dec. 3-6. They are 5-12-4 after a 9-3-3 start.
Trotz didn't confirm his starting goalie or his lineup. Vrana may be a healthy scratch for the second straight game.
Who's hot
Backstrom has two goals and eight points in 10 games. ... Williams has six goals and three assists in his past 11 games. ... Henrique has three goals and three assists in eight games. ... Parenteau leads the Devils with 10 goals and has five in his past eight games.
