Caps Morning Skate: Key News and Highlights

The Washington Capitals are gearing up to face the San Jose Sharks at the SAP Center, marking the end of their sixth back-to-back game series this season. Currently, the Capitals boast a five-game winning streak, which is their best run of the season. A victory tonight would clinch a successful four-game road trip, having already won against the New York Islanders and the Los Angeles Kings.

Key Players and Performances

A standout performer for the Capitals this season is sophomore Macklin Celebrini. Last season, he finished with 25 goals and 63 points as a rookie and was a Calder Trophy finalist. This year, Celebrini leads the league with 26 assists and has accumulated 40 points in just 27 games.

Capitals coach Spencer Carbery highlighted the progress of players like Celebrini, stating, “He’s elevated his game and taken it to a whole another level.” He also noted that other talented players, including William Eklund and Alexander Wennberg, are proving to be formidable competition for opposing teams.

Sharks’ Revamped Roster

The San Jose Sharks have made strategic additions to their roster, bringing in veterans like Dmitry Orlov to complement their youthful squad. Orlov, a former Capitals defenseman, is expected to provide leadership and experience, which is vital for the Sharks’ rebuilding efforts.

Carbery acknowledged these changes, stating, “There are quality NHL players, and Ryan Warsofsky is a good coach. They are surprising teams and are improving quickly.” This new dynamic within the Sharks enhances the challenge for the Capitals as they prepare for tonight’s clash.

Capitals on the Road

The Capitals have shown significant improvement lately, with a record of 8-1-1 over their last ten games. Their recent success starkly contrasts their previous performance, where they struggled with a 2-6-1 record in the games leading up to this stretch.

• First eight games: 6-2-0, controlled 55.30% of shot attempts.
• Next nine games: 2-6-1, controlled 55.31% of shot attempts, ranked worst in the NHL.
• Last ten games: 8-1-1, controlling 50.67% of shot attempts.

During this successful period, the Capitals have improved their lead time, spending a league-high 357:34 with the scoreboard in their favor.

Goaltending Matchup

Charlie Lindgren is expected to start for the Capitals, aiming for his fourth consecutive win after a strong performance in Los Angeles. He has a 2.47 GAA and .900 save percentage over his last three starts.

For the Sharks, Yaroslav Askarov is slated to be in goal. He has a record of 10-6-1 with a 2.96 GAA this season and boasts a victory over the Capitals in his career.

Expected Lineups

As the Capitals prepare to face off against the Sharks, both teams are eager to solidify their standings and build momentum moving forward. With the Sharks looking to prove their resilience and the Capitals aiming to continue their winning streak, fans can expect a captivating matchup tonight.