Game #19 Preview: Buffalo Sabres at Washington Capitals

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When:  November 17, 2010 7:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 4-7-1-0

Caps Game 19 Record: 14-19-2-0

All-Time vs. BUF: 38-77-15-3

All-Time at Home vs. BUF: 19-36-9-2

Last Season vs. BUF: 3-1-0

Last Meeting: 11/13/10, WAS 2 BUF 3 (OT)

This Year:

WAS Record: 13-4-1

Standings Points: 27

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 1st      

Last Game: 11/14/10, WAS 6 ATL 4

Streak: Win 1

BUF Record: 7-9-3

Standings Points: 13

Division Rank: 4th

Conference Rank: 10th    

Last Game: 11/15/10, BUF 4 VAN 3

Streak: Win 2

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, 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, 89 SLOAN

Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Back-up Goalie: 70 HOLTBY

Buffalo

Forward Line 1: 63 ENNIS, 9 ROY, 26 VANEK

Forward Line 2: 55 HECHT, 19 CONNOLLY, 29 POMINVILLE

Forward Line 3: 8 MCCORMICK, 20 NIEDERMAYER, 25 GRIER

Forward Line 4: 37 ELLIS, 28 GAUSTAD, 36 KALETA

Defense Pair 1: 44 SEKERA, 57 MYERS

Defense Pair 2: 3 LEOPOLD, 4 MONTADOR

Defense Pair 3: 27 MORRISONN, 34 BUTLER

Goalie: 30 MILLER

Back-up Goalie: 40 LALIME

Injuries:

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

BUF – 42 GERBE (fractured jaw) IR

Caps Milestones:

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

Mike Green needs 1 shot on goal to reach 800 in his career.

Preview:

The Capitals will try to get a little payback from the overtime loss to Buffalo last Saturday night. In that game, a bad second period by the Caps forced them into a furious third period that saw Washington tie the game but ultimately lose in the extra period. Look for Washington to give a more consistent effort after a little rest. The team just finished playing 7 games in 13 days and the last two games were pretty wild. Head Coach Bruce Bourdeau wants the team to get back to the fundamental systems of hard forechecking and pressure defense. I think the Caps will respond with a big effort tonight and be on the lookout for Marcus Johansson. The rookie has been showing signs of a breakout game and this may be the night.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 4 BUF 1

Official Preview