The puck will drop tonight at 7:00PM EST to begin the 2011-2012 regular season for Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. The Capitals, under Bruce Boudreau as head coach for yet another season, have a promising and exciting season ahead of them.
Team owner and assistant GM Ted Leonsis has high expectations for the team this season: It's the Cup or bust. And, with the lineup significantly reformed after a brilliant summer by GM George McPhee and a new defensive system in place, the 'Caps should be a much improved team this year.
With those things in mind, there are a few important things to watch for tonight.
The Bottom-Six Forward Lines
The Caps have always lacked true grit, character, energy and depth in their bottom-six. That will look very different this season. The bottom-six lineup for tonight looks like it will be Ward-Laich-Chimera on the third line and Hendricks-Halpern-Beagle on the fourth line.
With the Caps' fourth line looking entirely different than last year, Washington may be in competition to have the best energy line in the league.
Halpern is a big upgrade over former fou ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Jack Soule
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