Where: Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
When: January 21, 2008, 7:30 PM
History:
Caps Record on this Date: 5-6-1-0
Caps Game 48 Record: 15-15-2-0
All-Time vs. PIT: 75-85-16-3
Last Season vs. PIT: 0-3-1
Last Meeting: 12/27/07, WAS 3 PIT 4 (OT)
This Year:
WAS Record: 21-21-5
Standings Points: 47
Division Rank: 3rd
Conference Rank: 11th
Last Game: 1/19/2008, WAS 5 FLA 3
Streak: Won 3
PIT Record: 27-17-3
Standings Points: 57
Division Rank: 1st
Conference Rank: 5th
Last Game: 1/19/2008, PIT 2 MON 0
Streak: Won 1
Game 1: 10/20/07, WAS 1 PIT 2
Game 2: 12/27/07, WAS 3 PIT 4 (OT)
Probable Line-Ups:
Washington
Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 25 KOZLOV
Forward Line 2: 28 SEMIN, 15 GORDON, 43 FLEISCHMANN
Forward Line 3: 53 LAING, 39 STECKEL, 10 BRADLEY
Forward Line 4: 87 BRASHEAR, 21 LAICH, 18 PETTINGER
Defense Pair 1: 26 MORRISONN, 52 GREEN
Defense Pair 2: 23 JURCINA, 55 SCHULTZ
Defense Pair 3: 4 ERSKINE, 3 POTI
Goalie: 37 KOLZIG
Back-up Goalie: 1 JOHNSON
Pittsburgh
Forward Line 1: 12 MALONE, 71 MALKIN, 20 ARMSTRONG
Forward Line 2: 37 RUUTU, 87 CROSBY, 17 SYKORA
Forward Line 3: 38 TAFFE, 11 STAAL, 27 LARAQUE
Forward Line 4: 39 MINARD, 48 KENNEDY, 18 HALL
Defense Pair 1: 55 GONCHAR, 19 WHITNEY
Defense Pair 2: 4 SCUDERI, 44 ORPIK
Defense Pair 3: 5 SYDOR, 58 LETANG
Goalie: 35 CONKLIN
Back-up Goalie: 30 SABOURIN
Injuries:
Washington – 14 FEHR (hip) IR, 92 NYLANDER (shoulder) IR, 17 CLARK (groin) DTD, 2 POTHIER (head) DTD
Pittsburgh – 3 EATON (knee) DTD, 25 TALBOT (ankle) IR, 29 FLEURY (ankle) IR, 87 CROSBY (ankle) DTD, 10 ROBERTS (leg fracture) IR, 20 ARMSTRONG (hip) DTD
Caps Milestones:
Matt Pettinger needs 3 Points to reach 100 for his career
Matt Pettinger needs 5 SOG to reach 500 for his career
Donald Brashear needs 2 Points to reach 200 for his career
Donald Brashear needs 7 PIM’s to reach 2,400 for his career
Chris Clark needs 1 SOG to reach 800 for his career
Boyd Gordon needs 3 SOG to reach 200 for his career
Viktor Kozlov needs 5 assists to reach 300 for his career
The Caps travel to Pittsburgh to play the Crosbyless Penguins Monday evening. Crosby was injured last Friday and will not participate in the contest. The Pens are tied for first in the Atlantic Division. The Caps have not had good results against the Atlantic this season posting a 4-7-2 record in 13 games. For the Caps to win they will have to solve goaltender Ty Conklin who, as of late, has been playing lights out. Look for the Caps to keep the pressure on the Pens and try to play most of the game in the Pittsburgh end of the ice. The Penguins have had quite a few injuries lately so watch for them to simplify their game. I wouldn’t expect a very high scoring game, but it will be physical. I think the Caps finally pull one out on the Pens.
Joe’s prediction: Caps 3 PIT 1
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