Tuesday Caps Clips: Sabre Rattled

Your savory breakfast links:

• As if taking over a Cup-winning team wasn’t tough enough, Todd Reirden also faces the challenge of overcoming the difference between assistant and head coach. [Rink]
• The week ahead holds great possibility for the Caps (albeit a possibility that was somewhat squandered last night). Take a look at what awaits them. [Rink]
• Recaps and other assorted musings on last night’s shootout loss from us, Vogs, Caps video (Reirden, locker room, recap), Sabres (and again), NHL, AP, Reuters, WaPo, NBCSW (and again), Buffalo News, NoVa Caps, and RMNB.
• It’s official: all four major sports leagues will restrict postgame locker room access as coronavirus continues to spread. [NHL, NBCSW]
• The Caps are locked in a battle with the Flyers for the Metro Division title - but perhaps it wouldn’t be the worst to let them have it and draw the Pens in the first round. [NBCSW]
• The Wild Card race in the Eastern Conference is getting... well, wild. [NoVa Caps]
• Nicklas Backstrom continues to fly under the radar and consistently consistent. [StarsandSticks]
• Newly reconfigured with Richard Panik, the fourth line is playing some of their best hockey of the year. [WaPo]
• The role players stole the show last week. [StarsandSticks]
• Finally, happy 40th birthday to Stephen Peat and happy 47th to Martin Brochu.