GameDay: Caps Vs Canes – First versus Worst

Caps Vs. Canes

The Caps ended their second 6 game winning streak of the season against the Sabres on Wednesday and will be looking to begin a winning streak anew against divisional foes, the Carolina Hurricanes.

Washington, entering tonight’s game at the Verizon Center as the top ranked club in the NHL, have cruised through the first 30 games of the season without much difficulty despite enduring an endless run to the infirmary. In keeping with that trend, the Caps will welcome back Mike Knuble to the lineup tonight after a month long absence due to a broken finger. Knuble’s presence will further insulate what is already the most potent offense in the NHL and will give the Caps that big body presence in front of the opposition’s net since Knuble went down with his injury. Also returning to the lineup will be Mathieu Perreault, Milan Jurcina, and (likely) brand new papa, Matt Bradley.

The Hurricanes have also welcomed back a big part of their franchise as Cam Ward returned to the Carolina net against the Devils on Wednesday. Ward, who has basically missed the last five weeks with a laceration to his leg will finally provide the Canes with a stable presence on the back-end and, very likely, a renewed sense of confidence.

That said, the Canes are currently the worst team in the NHL, boasting a mere 19 points and are 8 points behind the 29th ranked team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Washington will bring an astounding, and league-leading, 111 goals in 31 games to the ice tonight, while the Hurricanes arrive in DC with the second-worst goals for total with only 72 goals scored in 30 games. The Hurricanes have also allowed the second most goals against so far this year, having allowed 109 goals against. Cam Ward’s return should likely help stem the amount of goals the Carolina has let in, but with so many injuries(Cole, Samsanov, Corvo, Larose and Wallin), the ‘Canes will be hard-pressed against a fully loaded Capitals offense tonight.

Speaking of the fully-loaded offense, Washington now has 8 top six forwards in the lineup and Bruce Boudreau will be in tough to give everyone the ice-time they all want, but with so many dangerous weapons in the lineup, the Caps should have no problem throwing wave after wave of offense at the ‘Canes.

Brian Pothier is out of the lineup tonight with a rib injury so Milan Jurcina will skate in his place.

Mathieu Perreault will also return after sitting out due to food poisoning.

Semyon Varlamov is now on the IR and will not return until, most likely, the end of the Caps upcoming road trip. In the meantime, Jose Theodore will start tonight, so expect Michal Neuvirth to get another shot in nets tomorrow night when the Caps head off to Toronto to face the Leafs.

With a perfect record of 7-0-0 against the Southeast Division, Washington will want to keep up their perfect pace and make up for their weak performance against the Sabres. Alex Ovechkin and Alex Semin have been on and off since their respective returns from injury, but with more diversions in the lineup, expect these two to start piling up the points.

Finally, one thing to keep an eye on tonight will be how Hurricanes defenseman Tim Gleason and Alex Ovechkin play against one another. The last time these two teams met, Ovechkin ended up with a 2 game suspension for kneeing Gleason and a media circus of focus then ensued as OV was bombarded with questions of whether he would change his style of play or not. Obviously Ovechkin isn’t switching up his style for anyone, so expect OV to leave everything on the ice tonight against Gleason and the Hurricanes. I wouldn’t count on there being any fireworks, but, for what it’s worth, it’s definitely something to keep an eye on.

Game Notes

Welcome back Mike – Forward Mike Knuble is expected to return to the Washington lineup tonight after missing the last 12 games with a broken finger. Knuble has five goals and 10 assists in 19 games this season and was in a groove before his injury. In his last four games before the injury he had two goals and four assists. If he plays tonight, Knuble will add a big body to an already potent offense. The Caps lead the NHL in goals (111) and power play (24.2%).

Southeastern breeze –The Capitals enter tonight’s game with a 7-0-0 record against the Southeast Division, the only team in the NHL with a perfect divisional record. Washington only plays two Southeast Division games between now and Jan. 9 – both at home against Carolina.
 

Odd man out –Wednesday night’s shutout loss to Buffalo, in Washington’s 31st game, was the first time the Capitals have been shut out this season and the first time they did not have a lead at some point in a game. It was just the third time they trailed after the first period and the first of those three games that they did not come back to win.

 Top of the world –The Capitals enter Friday’s game with an NHL-leading 44 points through 31 games, just the second time they have led the NHL standings this late in a season (also 1991-92). They posted their best record through 30 games in franchise history and lead the league in goals (108), power play (24.2%) and fewest regulation losses (6).

 Roll halted –Washington had a six-game winning streak snapped Wednesday night, its second such streak of the season. The Capitals are the only team in the NHL with two winning streaks of six games or more this season. The Capitals have had a seven-game winning streak in each of Bruce Boudreau’s first two seasons behind the bench.

 Kill joy –Washington ranks just 20th in the NHL on the penalty kill (79.2%) but the Capitals have been solid while shorthanded at home. They have the third-best home penalty kill (86.5%) and have killed off 16-of-18 shorthanded situations (88.9%) in the last six home games. In their last five games overall the Caps have killed off 17-of-19 shorthanded situations (89.5%).
Strangers in a strange land –Friday night marks Washington’s only home game in an eight-game, 19-day span. Washington is 9-2-3 at home, 10-4-3 on the road. Once the Capitals return from next week’s Western Conference road trip they will play 12 of their next 19 games at home.

 

For more on tonight’s matchup, including lineups, click here.

Enjoy the game! Puck drop is @ 7pm.

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Go Caps!!!!!