The Caps get set for another annual tradition, a game on Black Friday. This year, the Buffalo Sabres come into town for a five o’clock game.
Buffalo comes into town riding a three game point streak. However, the Sabres are still without superstar Jack Eichel who has been nursing an ankle injury all season. This injury can be seen in their lack of offense. The Sabres have only scored more than two goals once this entire month.
Philipp Grubauer is expected to start tonight. Gurbuaer turns 25 today and his parents are in town from Germany. This will be the first time his parents get to see him play in an NHL game.
The Caps are still without TJ Oshie who is week-to-week with an upper body injury. Oshie skated for about an extra half hour today. He said that he felt the best he has since getting hurt but that there is no timetable for his return.
Caps lines are as follows
Alex Ovechkin-Evgeny Kuznetsov-Andre Burakovsky
Marcus Johnasson-Nicklas Backstrom-Justin Williams
Zach Sanford-Jay Beagle-Tom Wilson
Daniel Winnik-Lars Eller-Brett Connolly
On defense, Taylor Chorney is expected to play for Nate Schmidt. The top four will be the same.
Something to watch for tonight is how Williams plays in the slot. He was practicing his shots from the “diamond” position on the power play and doing tip drills with the defenseman. Expect him to continue going to those dirty areas. I expect him to be rewarded soon enough.
