Time to capitalize on a tired squad
THE BIG MATCHUP
Alex Ovechkin vs. Jacob Markstrom
It goes without saying that The Great Eight is an ever-present threat for the Capitals. Jacob Markstrom made some big saves in Detroit and in New York; the Canucks will need more of the same on Friday night.
FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME 1. Loose change
The Canucks have had plenty of success this year banging home goals from in tight, an approach they went for last year, but didn’t find as much success. Some of it is the better talent they now have on the first two lines, but some of it is luck. One of those is going to turn south soon enough. The Canucks just hope not yet.
2. Power-play pop
It’s a regular refrain around here, but it was seen in New York and again in Detroit: the Canucks need their power play to impress if they’re going to keep pressing for the playoffs.
3. Lethal Caps
The Capitals may have changed their system some — they’re supposedly playing a more uptempo, aggressive game — but if you go to the numbers, you wouldn’t know it. They’re generating more chances than the opposition and they’re 7-2-3 because of it. So far this season, the Canucks haven’t faced many opponents with deep scoring talent like the Capitals.
It’s about to get a whole lot tougher.
4. Tired Caps
The Capitals are playing their third game in four nights Friday in Vancouver. They played in Edmonton on Thursday (a 4-3 overtime loss) and Calgary on Tuesday (a 5-3 win). None of the late-night flights this week are long, but moving around that much is hard on the body. They need regular sleep to properly recuperate.
5. Old faces
It’s an interesting contrast, looking at the Capitals’ fourth line. There are two former Canucks there in Brendan Leipsic and Nic Dowd. Now, Washington’s fourth line barely plays, getting about half the ice time of what the team’s first line sees at even strength, but in those short minutes they’re well above 50 per cent in shot attempts for. Most teams hope their fourth line doesn’t get killed in its matchups, but this Washington fourth line is winning its matchups handily.