After a 4 day lay off to replay Saturday’s shutout loss to the Jets in their heads, the Washington Capitals finally return to action tonight against the New Jersey Devils. This is the 5th and final match up between the two teams, and the first since a 4-0 Capitals win on December 20th, which featured one of the many dazzling highlight reel goals of Alex Ovechkin’s career.

Tonight will mark the return of former Caps head coach, Adam Oates. When asked if they were thinking about the return, or had any comments about their former coach, most players simply said no. Nothing positive nor negative to say about the man who led them to their first playoff-less season since 2006-2007. Though I personally don’t think he deserves one, I am expecting a small tribute on the video board tonight at the Verizon Center, we will have to wait and see what the fan response is.

Now lets get to the game. After a week of what coach Trotz called training camp-esque practices for the Caps, I’m sure they’re looking forward to getting back into action. It’ll be Grant Fuhr Braden Holtby in between the pipes once again for the Caps. Tonight marks Holtby’s 65th start of the season, well and away a career high for the netminder. Trotz says that we should continue to see Holtby in the net, at least until the Caps are able to clinch a playoff spot. Saturday night wasn’t one of his better performances of the season, allowing 3 goals on just 21 shots against the Jets. Look for Holtby to shake off the rust and get back to the Vezina nominee-like performances we have grown used to seeing this season.

Nicklas Backstrom and El Capitano, Alex Ovechkin will once again lead the top line tonight, alongside Marcus Johansson. There was some debate as to who would be the winger opposite Ovechkin, with Tom Wilson receiving some time there through practices this week, but Johansson wins the honor. If this what Trotz is electing to go with, I would like it to remain that way through the final 9 games of the regular season and into the playoffs. Every player should know what to expect when they come to the rink at this time of year, it’s not the time for line tinkering. With Jay Beagle remaining on the shelf for the immediate term, the forward lines are expected to be the same as Saturday night, with Mike Latta and Eric Fehr flip flopping center duties on the 3rd and 4th lines. Defensively, the Caps will also set up the same as Saturday, with the lone exception of Tim Gleason returning from injury and stepping in alongside Mike Green in place of Nate Schmidt. This is the Capitals deepest defense corps in the Ovechkin Era, look for all 7 of those players to play an important role during the home stretch of the year and playoffs. (8 if Orlov is able to work his way back into the lineup)

On the surface, this looks like one of the easier games left on the Caps schedule, but it is important that they are able to put their rest and preparation to good use and not overlook the Devils. Tonight’s 2 points are vital. Go Caps Go.