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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Game #9 Preview: Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes


Where: RBC Center, Raleigh, NC

When:  October 27, 2010 7:00 PM

History:           
Caps Record on this Date: 4-7-0-1
Caps Game 9 Record: 15-16-3-1
All-Time vs. CAR: 36-23-7-5
All-Time at CAR: 15-12-5-4
Last Season vs. CAR: 3-1-2
Last Meeting: 3/25/10, WAS 2 CAR 3 (OT-SO)

This Year:
WAS Record: 5-3-0
Standings Points: 10
Division Rank: 2nd
Conference Rank: 5th      
Last Game: 10/23/10, WAS 4 ATL 3 (OT)
Streak: Win 1

CAR Record: 4-3-0
Standings Points: 8
Division Rank: 3rd
Conference Rank: 9th    
Last Game: 10/23/10, CAR 4 PHO 3 (OT)
Streak: Win 1

Probable Line-Ups:     
Washington
Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 22 KNUBLE
Forward Line 2: 21 LAICH, 14 FLEISCHMANN, 28 SEMIN
Forward Line 3: 25 CHIMERA, 90 JOHANSSON, 16 FEHR
Forward Line 4: 17 KING, 39 STECKEL, 26 HENDRICKS
Defense Pair 1: 55 SCHULTZ, 3 POTI
Defense Pair 2: 4 ERSKINE, 74 CARLSON
Defense Pair 3: 27 ALZNER, 89 SLOAN
Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH
Back-up Goalie:

Carolina
Forward Line 1: 59 LAROSE, 12 STAAL, 36 JOKINEN
Forward Line 2: 14 SAMSONOV, 16 SUTTER, 15 RUUTU
Forward Line 3: 26 COLE, 53 SKINNER, 39 DWYER
Forward Line 4: 22 DALPE, 21 BOWMAN, 29 KOSTOPOULOS
Defense Pair 1: 25 PITKANEN, 77 CORVO
Defense Pair 2: 6 GLEASON, 4 MCBAIN
Defense Pair 3: 33 BABCHUK, 44 HARRISON
Goalie: 30 WARD
Back-up Goalie: 60 PETERS

Injuries:
Washington – 10 BRADLEY (lower body) DTD, 15 GORDON (undisclosed) DTD, 52 GREEN (upper body) DTD, 1 VARLAMOV (lower body) DTD, 3 POTI (lower body) DTD

Carolina – None

Caps Milestones:
Nicklas Backstrom needs 8 assists to reach 200 in his career.
Brooks Laich needs 6 points to reach 200 in his career.

Preview:
The Capitals break out the white jerseys for the first extended road trip of the season. The first stop is the home opener for the Carolina Hurricanes. The Canes started the season in Europe and have been on the road ever since. The Capitals will most likely start Michael Nuevirth in goal tonight with young Braden Holtby backing him up. Semyon Varlamov is, once again, on the injured list. However, he is not alone as Matt Bradley, Tom Poti, Mike Green, and Boyd Gordon are also on that list. Several other Caps are nicked up as well forcing the team to recall Mathieu Perreault and Brian Fahey from Hershey. Tonight’s game will be a big test for the team. The first line has not been clicking so far this season and they need to get on track. Look for the Capitals to simplify their system and put a heavy forecheck on the Carolina defense. It should be another physical battle between the two teams, who have a healthy dislike for each other. I think the Caps will play a tough disciplined game and come away with a close victory.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 4 CAR 3

Official Preview

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