Connor McMichael, Matt Irwin Return To Lineup, Darcy Kuemper Expected To Start: Notes From Capitals Morning Skate In Carolina

The Capitals made their way to North Carolina on Saturday night following their 3-0 win over the Predators. The team had the day off on Sunday and returned to work Monday morning in Raleigh. They conclude their four-game set of road games tonight against the Hurricanes.

LINES AND PAIRS AT MORNING SKATE

The Capitals announced Monday morning that forward T.J. Oshie would be out indefinitely and defenseman John Carlson is listed day to day, and will not play tonight in Raleigh.

As a result, Connor McMichael returned to the lineup on the right wing, and defenseman Matt Irwin made his first appearance with the starters: [Lines via Samantha Pell/Washington Post]

Alex Ovechkin — Dylan Strome — Conor Sheary
Marcus Johansson — Evgeny Kuznetsov — Connor McMichael
Aliaksei Protas — Lars Eller — Anthony Mantha
Beck Malenstyn — Nic Dowd — Garnet Hathaway

Dmitry Orlov — Trevor van Riemsdyk
Martin Fehervary — Nick Jensen
Erik Gustafsson — Matt Irwin

Darcy Kuemper
Charlie Lindgren

Extras: Connor McMichael, Joe Snively, Matt Irwin

The Capitals conclude their three-game road trip tonight when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena for the first of three meetings between the teams this season. Washington is 9-2-1 in their last 12 games against the Hurricanes dating back to the 2018-19 season. (Preview here.)

Capitals PP1: Ovechkin, Orlov, Strome, Sheary, Johansson

PP2: Gustafsson, Mantha, Kuznetsov, Protas, TvR

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) October 31, 2022

In addition, the Capitals have won three-straight games at Carolina and have a record of 5-1-0 in their last six games at PNC Arena. In 2021-22, Washington won the season series with Carolina 3-1-0.

FROM THE OTHER SIDE

It looks like Frederik Anderson will get the start in goal for the Hurricanes. Derek Stepan and Calvin de Haan also returned to the ice this morning for the Canes.

Hello from #Canes morning skate! 👋🏼

Some great news to start the day as both Derek Stepan and Calvin de Haan are on the ice. Paul Stastny, on the other hand, is absent.

Frederik Andersen in the starter’s crease. pic.twitter.com/z3ety05EfP

— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) October 31, 2022

Pregame stats for each team. [Click to enalrge]

SPECIAL TEAMS

During the four-game stretch, which began on Oct. 22 vs. Los Angeles, Washington has allowed 17 totals shots against while shorthanded, for an average of 1.31 shots against per power play.

The Capitals have killed off 15 straight opposing power plays and all 13 power plays over their last four games, including all five of Nashville’s power play opportunities on Saturday. [More here]

STAT OF THE DAY – GOALTENDING PROWESS

Goals saved above expected (GA – xGA) is a good stat to judge how well a goaltender is defending against quality scoring chances.

The Capitals tandem of Darcy Kuemper and Charlie Lindgren is currently ranked 7th in the league, with 5.3 more expected goals against versus actual goals against.

SHAVINGS