10:37 pm
December 3

Capitals @ Sharks

Who will WIN this matchup?

Washington Capitals (19-4-5)

@ San Jose Sharks (15-12-1)

 

Starting Goalies:

Braden Holtby (WSH): Confirmed

Martin Jones (SJ): Confirmed

 

Current odds:

Washington Capitals: (-115)

San Jose Sharks: (-105)

 

• Washington is expected to see the return of speedy forward Carl Hagelin on Tuesday and could also have Nicklas Backstrom in the fold, although it’s uncertain if it will be against San Jose or in Wednesday’s contest versus Los Angeles. “We’ll see how things go again (Tuesday) morning and continue to progress day-by-day here,” coach Todd Reirden said of the 32-year-old Backstrom, who has been out with an upper-body injury since Nov. 18. “We’re heading in the right direction and whether that’s (Tuesday) or L.A., we’ll play it day-by-day.” Hagelin, who has been sidelined with an upper-body injury on Nov. 7, skated with Richard Panik and Travis Boyd during Monday’s practice.

• Martin Jones has fueled San Jose’s recent surge, claiming NHL Third Star of the Week honors on Monday after posting a 3-0-0 mark with a 1.98 goals-against average and .935 save percentage in his last three appearances. The 29-year-old won 10 games in November, tying the franchise record for victories in any calendar month with Evgeni Nabokov (December 2007, March 2008) and Antti Niemi (February 2011). Evander Kane scored five of his team-leading 12 goals in the first seven games of November before being limited to just four assists over his last eight contests.

• San Jose boasts the NHL’s top-ranked penalty kill (91.0 percent).

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Washington Capitals
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