Game #13 Preview: Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When:  November 5, 2010 7:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 6-9-1-0

Caps Game 13 Record: 16-14-4-1

All-Time vs. BOS: 41-63-21-8

All-Time home vs. BOS: 22-28-12-4

Last Season vs. BOS: 3-0-1

Last Meeting: 10/21/10, WAS 1 BOS 4

This Year:

WAS Record: 8-4-0

Standings Points: 16

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 2nd      

Last Game: 11/3/10, WAS 5 TOR 4 (OT-SO)

Streak: Win 2

BOS Record: 7-2-0

Standings Points: 14

Division Rank: 2nd

Conference Rank: 5th    

Last Game: 11/3/10, BOS 5 BUF 2

Streak: Win 3

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 28 SEMIN

Forward Line 2: 14 FLEISCHMANN, 21 LAICH, 22 KNUBLE

Forward Line 3: 25 CHIMERA, 15 GORDON, 16 FEHR

Forward Line 4: 17 KING, 39 STECKEL, 10 BRADLEY

Defense Pair 1: 55 SCHULTZ, 52 GREEN

Defense Pair 2: 4 ERSKINE, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 27 ALZNER, 44 FAHEY

Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Back-up Goalie: 70 HOLTBY

Boston

Forward Line 1: 17 LUCIC, 46 KREJCI, 18 HORTON

Forward Line 2: 38 CARON, 37 BERGERON, 28 RECCHI

Forward Line 3: 26 WHEELER, 19 SEGUIN, 73 RYDER

Forward Line 4: 63 MARCHAND, 11 CAMPBELL, 22 THORNTON

Defense Pair 1: 21 FERENCE, 33 CHARA

Defense Pair 2: 45 STUART, 44 SEIDENBERG

Defense Pair 3:, 48 HUNWICK, 54 MCQUAID

Goalie: 30 THOMAS

Back-up Goalie: 40 RASK

Injuries:

Washington –1 VARLAMOV (groin) IR, 3 POTI (lower body) IR, 90 JOHANSSON (hip flexor) IR, 89 SLOAN (lower body) DTD

BOS – 9 SAVARD (concussion) IR, 42 WHITFIELD (Achilles) IR, 16 STURM (knee) IR

Caps Milestones:

Nicklas Backstrom needs 5 assists to reach 200 in his career.

Brooks Laich needs 3 points to reach 200 in his career.

Jason Chimera needs 6 points to reach 200 in his career.

Preview:

The consistently inconsistent Capitals meet the Boston Bruins for the third time in the young season. Both teams are high up in the standings but in the previous two meetings Boston goalie Tim Thomas has been the difference. Allowing just 2 goals on 75 shots Thomas thoroughly frustrated the Washington forwards. The Caps will need a better effort than they gave two nights ago if they want the victory tonight. Despite being out worked and out hustled by the Maple Leafs, the Capitals were able to pull out a shootout win but that kind of effort will see them in the losing column against Boston. Look for a physical game as the two teams are very familiar with each other. The key for the Capitals will be maintaining their defensive structure. They cannot afford to give the Bruins any odd man chances. I think the Caps will bring the work boots and hard hats to the arena tonight and eke out a win in a hard fought game. It should be a good one to watch.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 3 BOS 2

Official Preview