Game #18 Preview: Atlanta Thrashers at Washington Capitals

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When:  November 14, 2010 5:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 6-7-3-0

Caps Game 18 Record: 8-21-5-1

All-Time vs. ATL: 35-18-5-5

All-Time home vs. ATL: 21-7-3-1

Last Season vs. ATL: 6-0-0

Last Meeting: 10/23/10, WAS 4 ATL 3

This Year:

WAS Record: 12-4-1

Standings Points: 25

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 1st      

Last Game: 10/13/10, WAS 2 BUF 3 (OT)

Streak: Loss 1

ATL Record: 7-7-3

Standings Points: 17

Division Rank: 3rd

Conference Rank: 8th    

Last Game: 11/13/10, ATL 2 PIT 4

Streak: Loss 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: 26 HENDRICKS, 39 STECKEL, 10 BRADLEY

Defense Pair 1: 55 SCHULTZ, 52 GREEN

Defense Pair 2: 27 ALZNER, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 4 ERSKINE, 3 POTI

Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Back-up Goalie: 70 HOLTBY

Atlanta

Forward Line 1: 9 KANE, 80 ANTROPOV, 22 STEWART

Forward Line 2: 21 EAGER, 23 SLATER, 27 THORBURN

Forward Line 3: 16 LADD, 47 PEVERLEY, BERGFORS

Forward Line 4: 36 BOULTON, 49 BURMISTROV, 19 MODIN

Defense Pair 1: 33 BYFUGLIEN, 39 ENSTROM

Defense Pair 2: 6 HAINSEY, 4 BOGOSIAN

Defense Pair 3: 29 ODUYA, 3 SOPEL

Goalie: 50 MASON

Back-up Goalie: 31 PAVELEC

Injuries:

Washington – 15 GORDON (lower body) DTD, 1 VARLAMOV (groin) IR

Atlanta – 45 CORMIER (foot) IR

Caps Milestones:

Jason Chimera needs 5 points to reach 200 in his career.

Mike Green needs 7 shots on goal to reach 800 in his career.

Preview:

The Capitals and Thrasher both look to regroup after suffering defeats last evening. This is already the third meeting between the two clubs this season. Washington needed overtime to win in Game #8 and the Thrashers took the season opener in Atlanta. The Caps will need their work clothes for this game as the Thrashers are a hardworking team that likes to grind out the games. Look for the Capitals to play to their strengths and try to stretch out the Atlanta defense. The forwards will need to work harder as the team has had only two power plays combined in the last two games and that’s not going to get it done. I think the Caps start strong and build a lead in the opening period. Alex Ovechkin should have a big game. The winger is due for some fireworks.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 5 ATL 2

Official Preview