• Braden Holtby: “We’re finding ways to win, which is a good sign, we’re trying not to get too complacent with what we’re doing. We don’t think our game is quite where we want it yet, but we’re finding ways to win, which is a good sign.”
• Dale Weise: “Special teams are everything right now for us. Our power play is rolling, it’s getting us momentum, and it’s winning games for us. Our penalty kill is the same,”
• All three of the games between these two teams in the 2014-15 season went into extra time, with Montreal coming out on top twice.
• Even after the Capitals’ four days off, Brooks Orpik will remain out of the lineup due to a lower-body injury.
• The Capitals are currently riding a five game winning streak.
• Both these teams are in the top two in the league in terms of goal differential. Montreal holds an edge with +33 versus the Capitals’ +24.
• The Canadiens place fifth in the league in goals against, with 57 in their first 26 games. The Capitals’ defensive game has been absolutely amazing this season, as they have allowed only 51 goals against in their first 23 games and are in a tie for first in the league.
• The Canadiens are in first place in the NHL in the goals for category, with 90 over their first 26 games. The Capitals’ offense has also been very successful, as they are in a tie for 4th place in the NHL with a total of 75 goals over their first 23 games this season.

2015-16 statistics

• I outlined in an article I wrote earlier this year (found here), Evgeny Kuznetsov had a ton of potential heading into the season. I had Kuznetsov pegged for 15-20 goals and 55-60 points and recommended targeting him in rounds 8-9 of your fantasy draft. Well, we are just over the quarter mark of the season and Kuznetsov is nearly halfway to my predicted points total! Looking closer into his projected stats over an 82 game schedule, he is on pace for 28 goals 92 points. Although this pace will most likely drop as the season progresses (as he is shooting at a 18.6 % success rate), he is still a valuable commodity in all fantasy circles. His value is is highest in points only leagues, as he does not register many hits, blocked shots or shots on net (16, 7 and 43 respectively throughout his first 23 games). The only peripheral stats he does contribute in are +/- and TOI, as he has accumulated a great +/- rating (+14) and averages 17:33 a game. Quick Fact: Outside of his first two games of the season, Kuznetsov hasn’t gone scoreless in back to back games all year. Start Kuznetsov with confidence tonight.
• Daily Fantasy Hockey Note: All numbers point towards not including David Desharnais on your roster tonight. Due to the fact that Desharnais isn’t a formidable body checker or shot blocker (14 and 10 respectively in 26 games so far this season), it leaves only four of the main categories for him to earn you points. Desharnais has played the Capitals 17 times over his career and only has one goal, one assist and 25 shots to show for it; add this to the fact that he has a -1 rating over those 17 games and he is best kept off your roster.
• Top scorers for the Capitals on the road this season are:

1. Evgeny Kuznetsov  (with 13 points in 9 games).
2. Justin Williams (with 10 points in 9 games)
3. Alex Ovechkin (with 9 points in 9 games)

• Top scorers for the Canadiens at home this season are:

1. Max Pacioretty  (12 points in 13 games)
2. Brendan Gallagher, David Desharnais and Tomas Plekanec (with 11 points in 12, 14 and 14 games respectively)
3. P. K. Subban and Tomas Fleischmann (with 10 points in 14 games)

• Player stats retrieved from War on Ice, NHL.com profiles and Yahoo Sports

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