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Behind Enemy Lines: Nashville Predators vs. Washington Capitals

By Nick Kieser

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 29: Filip Forsberg #9 of the Nashville Predators handles the puck as Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals defends during the first period of the game at Capital One Arena on December 29, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 29: Filip Forsberg #9 of the Nashville Predators handles the puck as Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals defends during the first period of the game at Capital One Arena on December 29, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Following a 6-2 win over the St. Louis Blues the Nashville Predators will host the Washington Capitals for the second Saturday night game this season.

Washington is 18-27-4 against the Predators all-time and will play them again later this season back in D.C. on Jan. 6.

The Capitals are in the midst of a four-game road trip and are 1-1 so far. They’ll have a stop in Raleigh to visit the Hurricanes on Tuesday. Starting next Tuesday the Predators will begin a five-game road trip after tonight’s contest.

Nashville will be using the same lineup as they did when playing the Blues back on Thursday.

According to Samantha Pell from the Washington post, it looks like Darcy Kuemper will be the Capitals starting goaltender. Juuse Saros will be going up against the 2021-22 Stanley Cup champion goaltender who signed with the Capitals as a free agent.

Kuemper has not beaten the Predators in a regular season game since he was a member of the Arizona Coyotes in 2019.

Juuse Saros is 4-2-0 vs. Washington but has not picked up a win against them since January of 2020.

The Opposition

T.J. Oshie has played in 40 games against the Predators throughout his 14-year career. He’s scored 16 goals and picked up 11 assists when playing against Nashville.

Oshie is a familiar face for Predators fans from his days in St. Louis. Since being traded back in 2015 he’s won a Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018.

Then there’s one of the greatest goal-scorers in NHL history. Alex Ovechkin has scored 783 goals (3rd most) and is on pace to catch Gordie Howe (801 goals) this year if he scores 18 more times.

So far he has 6 points in eight games with one goal on the Capital’s current road trip.

Centering Ovechkin on the top line is Dylan Strome who has been having a good start to the season. He’s also one of three forwards with six points.

Strome was the 3rd overall selection in 2015. He played three years in Arizona before being dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2018.

This offseason Strome signed a one-year deal worth $3.5 million with Washington. Last season the 25-year-old scored 48 points in 69 games being a solid center in Chicago.

On the blueline, the Capitals have 10 points between their top defensive pairing. John Carlson leads the way on defense with six points. The defensive stalwart is doing what he’s known for and being productive from the top of the offensive zone.

Next. John Hynes is Making Bold Lineup Calls for Preds. dark

The Capitals have allowed 26 goals this season while the Predators have allowed one less at 25. Tonight’s game could be low scoring with a lot of high-danger chances in the slot.

However, Nashville has nine more penalties (37) whereas the Capitals have (28) so far.

Capitals Projected lineup

OFFENSE

Ovechkin – D. Strome – Sheary

Johansson – Kuznetsov – Oshie

Protas – Eller – Mantha

Malenstyn – Dowd – Hathaway

DEFENSE

Orlov – Carlson

Fehervary – Jensen

Van Riemsdyk – Gustaffson

Lines according to Daily Faceoff

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