Game Thread: Oilers @ Capitals - Do Good Things Come In Twos?

The Oilers already beat the Capitals once this season—a 3-2 win on Rexall ice. This time they'll have to do it in Obama's town, coming off a come from behind victory against the Panthers in Florida.

How To Tune In

The puck drops at 5:00 PM MT tonight. Catch all the action on Sportsnet West.

What To Watch For From The Oilers

The Oilers aren't changing anything after coming out of Sunrise with an elusive road win. From the official team site, it sounds like Head Coach Todd Nelson is championing a more laid back atmosphere in the locker room.

"Any time you win hockey games, it’s a bit more relaxed," Nelson said. "My philosophy and my attitude is I want players to come to the rink to work hard and have some fun. That’s the way it always has been. The guys enjoyed winning the other night, and hopefully we can get two points again tonight."

I'm all for this team loosening up and having some fun in the second half of the season. At a certain point, you begin to worry about players jumping ship, and it's already happened to an extent with David Perron who was shipped to Pittsburgh after speaking out publicly against the regime.

If Nelson is only here on an interim basis until the end of the season, let his legacy be convincing the key players on the roster that the sun still shines in Edmonton from time to time.

What To Watch For From The Capitals

More from our team sites

Washington Capitals

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This just in from Japers' Rink, who have taken to reading some hot takes from Edmonton-area media.

Things we already know but that Edmonton is just noticing: Alex Ovechkin is playing well offensively and much better defensively. CRAZY. [Edmonton Sun, Edmonton Journal]

That's right, Oilers fans. Keep an eye out for some guy named Ovechkin tonight.

Final Thought

Will the "Cull for Connor" result in MacT flipping the pick?

Oilers' Craig MacTavish willing to deal 2015 draft selection for player farther along. http://t.co/4KtcJLVz8C pic.twitter.com/oWwE716lvU

— theScore (@theScore) January 20, 2015