Game #22 Preview: Washington Capitals at New Jersey Devils

Where: Prudential Center, Newark, NJ

When:  November 22, 2010 7:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 7-6-1-1

Caps Game 22 Record: 15-15-4-1

All-Time vs. NJ: 74-57-8-9

All-Time at NJ: 30-35-4-4

Last Season vs. NJ: 1-2-1

Last Meeting: 10/9/10, WAS 7 NJ 2

This Year:

WAS Record: 14-5-2

Standings Points: 30

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 1st      

Last Game: 11/20/10, WAS 4 PHI 5 (OT-SO)

Streak: Loss 2

NJ Record: 5-13-2

Standings Points: 12

Division Rank: 4th

Conference Rank: 14th    

Last Game: 11/20/10, NJ 2 STL 3

Streak: Loss 3

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

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

Forward Line 2: 14 FLEISCHMANN, 21 LAICH, 16 FEHR

Forward Line 3: 25 CHIMERA, 90 JOHANSSON,10 BRADLEY

Forward Line 4: 26 HENDRICKS, 39 STECKEL, 15 GORDON

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

New Jersey

Forward Line 1: 17 KOVALCHUK, 19 ZAJAC, 18 VASYUNOV

Forward Line 2: 26 ELIAS, 25 ARNOTT, 21 TEDENBY

Forward Line 3: 12 ROLSTON, 8 ZUBRUS, 23 CLARKSON

Forward Line 4: 11 MAIR, 10 PELLY, 14 GIONTA

Defense Pair 1: 28 VOLCHENKOV, 6 GREENE

Defense Pair 2: 5 WHITE, 7 TALLINDER

Defense Pair 3: 22 CORRENTE, 29 MAGNON

Goalie: 1 HEDBERG

Back-up Goalie: 40 MCKENNA

Injuries:

Washington –1 VARLAMOV (groin) IR, 3 POTI (lower body) IR, 22 KNUBLE (jaw) IR

NJ – 30 BRODEUR (elbow) IR, 9 PARISE (torn meniscus) IR, 16 JOSEFSON (thumb) IR, 2 FRASER (hand) IR, 24 SALVADOR (concussion) IR, 20 TAORMINA (ankle) IR, 33 SALMELA (knee) IR

Caps Milestones:

Jason Chimera needs 1 point to reach 200 in his career.

Preview:

After an overtime, shootout loss to the Flyers the Capitals will look to break a two-game losing skid in New Jersey. This is a game that Washington should win but the team has had a habit for not showing up for these types of games. The defense has been porous in the last two games giving up 9 goals and will have to step up against New Jersey. The Devils traditionally give the Capitals trouble in the neutral zone so look for a lot of chip and chase from the forwards. The key for the Caps is to get the lead early and baton down the defense, which has been a challenge in the last couple of outings. I think the Caps will win this game but it will be a lot closer than it should.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 3 NJ 2

Official Preview