BREAKING: Trotz confirms lineup for CRUCIAL game 1

As the Washington Capitals prepare to take on their rival in the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight at Verizon Center in Washington D.C. for game 1 of their second round playoff series, head coach Barry Trotz confirmed that the team will have a familiar look.

Trotz announced that the team will make no changes to a lineup that looked fast, strong and fully healthy in the decisive game 6 of their opening round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. That means Caps fans can expect to see captain Alex Ovechkin suit up on the team’s top line, despite taking a nasty knee-on-knee collision with Leafs forward Nazem Kadri last series.

It also means that defenseman Karl Alzner will remain out of the lineup as he continues to nurse a late season injury. Nate Schmidt will take Alzner’s spot on the blue line. Of course, Braden Holtby will lead the team onto the ice in goal.