In a surprise move the Capitals are starting goaltending prospect Braden Holtby tonight against the San Jose Sharks. Washington announced Holtby’s recall less than two hours before puck drop and not long after Coach Dale Hunter told reporters the team had “not yet” summoned anyone from Hershey.

Worth noting as we wait for this game to begin is a rather full press box in Verizon Center. Eleven representatives of 10 different NHL clubs, ranging from professional scout to general manager and assistant general managers, are expected to attend tonight’s game between the Capitals and Sharks.

Among the group is Montreal General Manager Pierre Gauthier, Columbus’s assistant general manager Chris MacFarland and professional scout Pete Dineen. Given that the trade deadline is only two weeks away on Feb. 27, perhaps it’s not too surprising.

Former Anaheim Ducks coach Randy Carlyle is also expected to be at the game. Last month, Carlyle told the Orange County Register that he’s trying to stay on top of the league and remain “visible”.

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Faceoff: 7:30 p.m., Verizon Center | TV: NBC-SN | Radio: 1500 AM

Check out the expected lineup after the jump:

Forwards
Ovechkin-Perreault-Semin
Chimera-Halpern-Brouwer
Hendricks-Johansson-Ward
Beagle-Laich-Rechlicz

Defense
Alzner-Carlson
Schultz-Wideman
Hamrlik-Orlov

Goal
Holtby
Neuvirth

Scratches: Mike Knuble, John Erskine, Keith Aucoin and Tomas Vokoun (flu).

Injured reserve: Nicklas Backstrom (concussion) and Mike Green (sports hernia) LTI.