Game #59 Preview: Washington Capitals at San Jose Sharks

Where: HP Pavilion, San Jose, CA

When:  February 17, 2011, 10:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 5-3-2-0

Caps Game 58 Record: 17-14-2-1

All-Time vs. SAN: 9-17-1-1

All-Time at SAN: 3-9-1-0

Last Season vs. SAN: 1-1-0

Last Meeting: 2/8/11, WAS 0 SAN 2

Season Series: 0-1-0

This Year:

WAS Record: 30-18-10

Standings Points: 70

Division Rank: 2nd

Conference Rank: 5th

Last Game: 2/16/11, WAS 7 ANA 6

Streak: Win 1

SAN Record: 31-21-6

Standings Points: 68

Division Rank: 2nd

Conference Rank: 5th    

Last Game: 2/15/11, SAN 2 NAS 1 (OT)

Streak: Win 1

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 22 KNUBLE

Forward Line 2: 21 LAICH, 85 PERRAULT, 28 SEMIN

Forward Line 3: 26 HENDRICKS, 90 JOHANSSON, 25 CHIMERA

Forward Line 4: 39 STECKEL, 15 GORDON, 10 BRADLEY

Defense Pair 1: 23 HANNAN, 55 SCHULTZ

Defense Pair 2: 27 ALZNER, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3:89 SLOAN, 4 ERSKINE

Goalie: 1 VARLAMOV

Back-up Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

San Jose

Forward Line 1: 12 MARLEAU, 19 THORNTON, 16 SETOGUCHI

Forward Line 2: 17 MITCHELL, 8 PAVELSKI, 15 HEATLEY

Forward Line 3: 29 CLOWE, 39 COUTURE, 20 WELLWOOD

Forward Line 4: 55 EAGER, 21 NICHOL, 10 MAYERS

Defense Pair 1: 3 MURRAY, 22 BOYLE

Defense Pair 2: 44 VLASIC, 40 HUSKINS

Defense Pair 3: 7 WALLIN, 60 DEMERS

Goalie: 31 NIEMI

Back-up Goalie: 34 HUTTON

Injuries:

Washington – 3 POTI (upper body) IR, 16 FEHR (upper body) IR, 52 GREEN (inner ear) DTD

SAN – 30 NIITTYMAKI (undisclosed) DTD

Caps Milestones:

Jason Chimera needs 4 goals to reach 100 in his career.

Brooks Laich needs 4 goals to reach 100 in his career.

Alex Ovechkin needs 4 assists to reach 300 in his career.

Preview:

The Caps went into Anaheim and got the win. Now they need to build on that victory as they take on the San Jose Sharks at the Shark Tank. The Caps exploded on offense last night but need to baton down on the defense as the Sharks boast one of the most talented offenses in the league. Look for this game to be another fast paced contest with special teams being the key to victory. The Caps were able to weather a power play goal on two attempts from Anaheim while failing to connect on two of their own. I expect the Capitals to come out with renewed vigor in this game and put up some goals early on and hold off the Sharks for the win.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 4 SAN 2

Official Preview