The @Washington Capitals are one of the elite teams in the NHL, led by high-end talent in @Alex Ovechkin, @Nicklas Backstrom, @Evgeny Kuznetsov and @John Carlson. They also have a Vezina trophy-winning goalie in Braden Holtby.

Their depth is what make their team great. TJ Oshie, @Tom Wilson, @Lars Eller and @Jakub Vrana give them solid scoring options. And while their defence isn’t filled with household names, @Dmitri Orlov is a very good top-four defender, and Michal Kempny has fit incredibly well with the Capitals. After missing the first eight games with an injury he has returned and has three points in three games.

Their blueline moves the puck very well, and they are led by one of the best defenders in the NHL in Carlsson. He is off to a start we haven’t seen since 1975. His 20 points in 11 games puts him first in NHL scoring. Bobby Orr was the last defenceman to lead the league in scoring three weeks into the season.

Carlson’s vision, skill and strength make him the entire package.

“When I had the chance to play with him you realize how much he does for those guys five-on-five and on the powerplay,” said @Alex Chiasson. “I know a lot of people will say you can just pass it to Ovie (Alex Ovechkin) and he will put it in, but if you watch the plays carefully they are fake one-timers, and soft passes right to Ovie’s wheelhouse. He walks the blueline very well and is an excellent passer.

“He is extremely strong. I think a lot of people don’t know that about him. He is gifted physically. He has all the attributes to be a great defenceman in this league, and the start of this season is he showing how good he can be,” continued Chiasson.

Carlson is putting up Connor McDavid-like stats so far this season. He has points in 10 of the Capitals 11 games. He has seven multi-point games. He has 17 points in his current eight-game point streak, and 12 of them have come at even strength.

The Oilers enter tonight fifth in the NHL in goals against/game at 2.30. They will need to be very sound defensively, get solid goaltending from Mikko Koskinen and they have to stay out of the penalty box. The Capitals’ powerplay has been deadly on the road with goals in five of their six games. Their PP has seven goals in 18 chance on the road (38.9%). Overall they are tied for eighth at 25%.

Their PP has been deadly for years, but it is much more than Ovechkin ripping a one-timer. Backstrom and Carlsson are elite passers, and Kuznetsov is equally good at shooting and passing. Oshie is great in front of the net and can slide out and rip home the odd quick hitter.

If teams try to take away Ovechkin, the Capitals adjust and look for another option. They have been together for many years, and have seen every situation many times.

The Oilers PK has been very good, but if you give the Capitals three or four powerplay chances they will bury at least one more often than not. When the inevitable powerplay opportunity arrives, Koskinen will need to be their best penalty killer. He sits 10th in penalty killing SV% at .913. (Smith is third at .951), and Koskinen will face some good looks tonight.

Without a doubt, this is the best powerplay the Oilers have faced this season.

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Koskinen

@Sam Gagner will play his first game of the season, and Dave Tippett is hopeful he can inject some offence into the bottom six. At this point, one goal would be a massive lift. The Oilers haven’t scored in over 150 minutes. I liked what @Leon Draisaitl had to say about the goalless drought.

“There is a fine line between not pressing too much and bearing down a little more, capitalize on the chance and to create more chances,” said Draisaitl

You know the top forwards want to produce. That is what they are paid to do, and instead of focusing on not scoring, and possibly pressing, it is more about just finishing your chances. The Oilers PP has hit three posts in the past two games. Finish one of those and maybe the entire flow of the game, or the energy on the bench, changes.

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Holtby

After a rough first four games when he allowed 15 goals on 114 shots, Holtby has found his groove and won his past three starts and posted a .925sv%.

GAME DAY PREDICTION: The Oilers score some goals but end up losing 3-2.

OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: McDavid does not go four consecutive games without a point. He picks up his 18th point tonight.

NOT-SO-OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: Patrick Russell scores his first NHL goal and Sam Gagner gets an assist in his first game this year.

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