Edmonton Oilers Between Two Posts: Washington Capitals

Hello, my fellow Edmonton Oilers fans (and other fans welcome). We are starting a brand new series A DAY early for you fans who are just chomping at the bit for the return of NHL hockey! So here, we are going to start Between Two Posts, a new series where we analyze EACH NHL team and go over how they match up to our amazing Edmonton Oilers team. So, we’re not going in any specific order, which is awesome because who likes order, anyway? Let’s start with the United States capitol team, the Washington Capitals. We also brought in Dave Stevenson, editor of the Capitals rival blog Stars and Sticks to come talk about the Caps and the Oil.

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Opposing Team

Washington Capitals

Rival Blog

Stars and Sticks

Last Year Recap

Last year, the Caps and the Oil met twice last year, once in October and again in January. The Oilers beat the Caps both times in one-goal decisions. In Oct., the Oilers won 3-2 at Rexall Place, with Nikita Nikitin providing the game winner. The Oilers won again in a shootout in Jan., winning 5-4, this time at Verizon Center. Teddy Purcell scored the GWG in that game.

However, the Capitals finished high in the standings last season, making the playoffs as the fourth seed. The Oilers finished dead last in the West, no surprise, and was only slightly better than the struggling Buffalo Sabres.

Enough of cringing, let’s look at this year’s matchup.

A glance at this year

This year will be interesting. It looks like the Oilers are ready to shake those demons off their back, and it looks like they are preparing to bounce back quite a lot, especially with the coming of Connor McDavid and Cam Talbot.

However, the Caps are a great team. They have a star-studded offense, and Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom are not going to be easy to compete with. Neither is TJ Oshie, who will perfect the trio and make the first line arguably of the best line combinations in the league.

But then again, the Oilers did beat the Capitals both times last year. So it will surely be an interesting match up. We’ll move on now and preview player matchups.

Players to Watch

Connor McDavid vs. Alex Ovechkin

Two first overall picks who are supposed to a second coming for the NHL are playing against each other. It’s going to be amazing.

Connor McDavid’s going to be so much fun to watch. The kid knows how to play the game, and he is so dedicated to Edmonton that he will give 100 percent every time he hits the ice. He also has great hands and can make highlight-reel plays in just a matter of second. He’s lightening quick and the NHL’s top prospect. What’s not to watch about him?

Alex Ovechkin is always a great player to watch, because he is so talented and is a quick smart skater with a rocket one-timer. He’s also great going down the wing and can amaze with great plays and quick thinking. The Great 8 is also just so exciting to see on the ice, and even though we can’t stand him, there is something about his love of the game and his craziness that makes him one of the most exciting players to watch. He also makes his presence known, which is awesome.

Who’s Between Two Posts?

It will be Cam Talbot taking on the Capitals young netminder, Mr. Braden Holtby. He’s young, but he’s one of the top goaltenders in the league and he’s only getting better. It’s going to be hard for the Oilers to get pucks past him, but our amazing offense might help us out.

Cam Talbot’s never been a starter, but when he’s in net, he puts all of his effort into winning. After Lundqvist got injured, it was Talbot who carried the New York Rangers to critical wins. When he is in net, he is all about the game, and he has the potential to be a great starter. Getting his chance now, I know he will step up, and who knows how he will perform? Hopefully, he’ll be one of the best, too.

Sammi’s Takeaway

Ugh, the Caps. A great team, but their lack of Game 7 success startles me and makes me feel a little bit better. It eases the pain that I’ve had to endure as an Oilers fan.

Anyway, here’s what we love about the Caps. We love the energy in the arena, the dedication the fans have to their team and Barry Trotz. The guy’s an outstanding coach who carries the team and helps them buy in. The Verizon Center’s always a tough place to win.

What we Oil fans can’t stand about the Caps is Alex Ovechkin, because he just always scores and ruins everything. He’s also crazy, always smacking into players and celebrating and jumping around. It’s great to celebrate, but come on Ovi, relax. The defense is also great. John Carlson and Karl Alzner are two outstanding defenders and the Oilers are weak when it comes to the blue line, so we hate that too. We also can’t stand Holtby, because he’s nearly impossible to score on. He has great hair though. Your jerseys also need a nice update too, they’re kind of ugly.

Todd McLellan will take us a long way, though, and Barry Trotz will also help the Caps win. That being said, let’s have some game score predictions.

Here’s what Sammi (that’s me) is going to predict. The Oilers meet the Caps on Oct. 23 at Rexall then one month later on Nov. 23.

The first game will go to the Oilers in overtime. The score will be 5-4. Taylor Hall will put away the overtime winner.

The second game goes to the Oilers again, this time, they will win 4-2. Nail Yakupov will score, and McDavid will have a three-point night.

Our Guest Stars and Sticks Editor Dave’s Take Away

I think the Washington Capitals and Oilers forwards are pretty similar. Though the Oilers don’t have the elite talent of the Caps, they have a strong top six that is young and talented.

The Caps have a significant advantage over the Oilers both in net and on their blue line. Holtby is more proven than Talbot, who has never been a starting goalie for an entire season. The Capitals’ blue line is deep, while Edmonton’s is not. I think the Caps should beat the Oilers 4-2 both times they face this season.

Roundup

A little harsh, but a great first edition of Between Two Posts. We will be back tomorrow with another team. Until then, go Oil!

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