Game #9 Washington Capitals vs. Vacouver Canucks

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When: October 26, 2007, 7:00 PM

History:
Caps Record on this Date: 6-4-1-0
Caps Game 9 Record: 13-15-3-1
All-Time vs. VAN: 38-32-9-1
Last Season vs. VAN: 0-0-1
Last Meeting: 10/27/06, WAS 2 VAN 3 OT-SO

This Year:
WAS Record: 4-4-0
Standings Points: 8
Division Rank: Tied 3^rd
Conference Rank: Tied 10^th
Last Game: 10/24/2007, WAS 5 TAM 3
Streak: Win 1

VAN Record: 4-6-0
Standings Points: 8
Division Rank: Tied 4^th
Conference Rank: Tied 12^th
Last Game: 10/24/2007, VAN 2 DET 3
Streak: Loss 2

Probable Line-Ups:
Washington
Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 25 KOZLOV, 17 CLARK
Forward Line 2: 19 BACKSTROM, 92 NYLANDER, 28 SEMIN
Forward Line 3: 18 PETTINGER, 39 STECKEL, 15 GORDON
Forward Line 4: 87 BRASHEAR, 21 LAICH, 43 FLEISCHMANN
Defense Pair 1: 3 POTI, 23 JURCINA
Defense Pair 2: 2 POTHIER, 26 MORRISONN
Defense Pair 3: 55 SCHULTZ, 52 GREEN
Goalie: 37 KOLZIG
Back-up Goalie: 1 JOHNSON

Vancouver
Forward Line 1: 22 SEDIN, 33 SEDIN, 9 PYATT
Forward Line 2: 19 NASLUND, 17 KESLER, 27 ISBISTER
Forward Line 3: 24 COOKE, 7 MORRISON, 14 BURROWS
Forward Line 4: 20 COWAN, 15 RITCHIE, 16 LINDEN
Defense Pair 1: 2 OHLUND, 8 MITCHELL
Defense Pair 2: 6 SALO, 5 KRAJICEK
Defense Pair 3: 4 MILLER, 18 WEAVER
Goalie: 1 LUONGO
Back-up Goalie: 41 SANFORD

Injuries:
Washington – 14 FEHR (hip) IR, 44 EMINGER (ankle) IR
Vancouver – 5 BIEKSA (personal reasons) DTD, 20 COWAN (hip) DTD, 37 RYPIEN (broken finger) IR

Caps Milestones:
Alexander Semin needs 4 Points to reach 100 for his career
Chris Clark needs 5 Points to reach 100 with the Capitals
Matt Pettinger needs 7 Points to reach 100 for his career

Preview:

The Capitals ended a 4 game losing streak on Wednesday night with a 5-3 win over Tampa. It was the most offense the Caps have put on the board this season. The Caps got production from members of all 4 lines and the defense. Chris Clark, Matt Pettinger, Dave Steckel and Shaone Morrisonn recorded their first points of the season last game. They will have to continue this effort to be successful against Vancouver. Goalie Roberto Luongo has had the Caps number in the past, but the Canucks have had a rough beginning and are in the midst of a 2 game losing streak. This is their 4^th road game in 5 nights. Is there a Swedish translator in the house? Between the two teams there are 7 Swedish born players on the roster. Look for the Canucks to come out hard and try to establish the lead. The Caps will have to keep the pressure on the Vancouver net and wear them down. Look for the Caps to be physical early and score late.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 4 VAN 2.

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