Game #55 Recap - Capitals 4 Flyers 3

This morning the Capitals find themselves in an unfamiliar territory. After defeating a very good Philadelphia Flyer team last night, the Caps have claimed the top spot in the Southeast Division. Their 57 standings points are 1 point ahead of Carolina and Atlanta. Brooks Laich, Matt Bradley, Viktor Kozlov and, of course, Alex Ovechkin scored goals as the Caps built a 4-1 lead with about 10 minutes left in the third period. The Flyers, winners of eight of their last 10, made a run with 2 late goals but Washington held on for the victory. Olie Kolzig play very well in goal stopping 31 of 34 shots. The Caps face Carolina on Friday in a game that should have a playoff type atmosphere in the Phone Booth.

Of Note:

• Alex Ovechkin matched his goal total from last year scoring his 46th of the season. The goal turned out to be the game winner. The score moved him into a tie for 13th on the Caps All-Time Goals Scored list with his friend Sergei Gonchar.
• The defense continued the offensive contributions with Mike Green assisting twice and single assists from Tom Poti and Milan Jurcina.
• Vikor Kozlov scored his 11th goal of the season and seems to have been able to jump start the second line as he, Alexander Semin, and Tomas Fleischmann have been getting quality scoring chances. However, Kozlov has been a bit rusty on his face-offs. After a 1-10 performance in Columbus he was 5-9 last night.
  
• The Caps were out shot 27 to 34 and went 29 to 38 in the face-off circle.
• Since Thanksgiving, the Caps, under Bruce Boudreau, have won 14 of 21 1-goal games.

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Game #55 Washington Capitals at Philadelphia Flyers

Where: Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA

When: February 6, 2008, 7:00 PM

History:
Caps Record on this Date: 3-3-2-1
Caps Game 55 Record: 13-13-4-1
All-Time vs. PHI: 63-92-19-0
Last Season vs. PHI: 4-0-0
Last Meeting: 1/13/08, WAS 4 PHI 6

This Year:
WAS Record: 25-24-5
Standings Points: 55
Division Rank: 3^rd
Conference Rank: 11^th
Last Game: 2/5/08, WAS 4 CLB 3 (OT)
Streak: Won 1

PHI Record: 30-17-5
Standings Points: 65
Division Rank: 1^st
Conference Rank: 2^nd
Last Game: 2/5/08, PHI 3 ATL 2
Streak: Won 2

Game 1: 11/2/07, WAS 2 PHI 3
Game 2: 11/23/07, WAS 4 PHI 3
Game 3: 1/13/08, WAS 4 PHI 6

Probable Line-Ups:
Washington
Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 14 FEHR
Forward Line 2: 28 SEMIN, 25 KOZLOV, 43 FLEISCHMANN
Forward Line 3: 53 LAING, 39 STECKEL, 10 BRADLEY
Forward Line 4: 87 BRASHEAR, 15 GORDON, 21 LAICH
Defense Pair 1: 26 MORRISONN, 52 GREEN
Defense Pair 2: 23 JURCINA, 55 SCHULTZ
Defense Pair 3: 4 ERSKINE, 3 POTI
Goalie: 37 KOLZIG
Back-up Goalie: 1 JOHNSON

Philadelphia
Forward Line 1: 19 HARTNELL, 20 UMBERGER, 9 UPSHALL
Forward Line 2: 12 GAGNE, 18 RICHARDS, 22 KNUBLE
Forward Line 3: 32 COTE, 17 CARTER, 27 DOWNIE
Forward Line 4: 34 DOWD, 48 BRIERE, 24 KAPANEN
Defense Pair 1: 2 HATCHER, 26 VANDERMEER
Defense Pair 2: 44 TIMONEN, 5 COBURN
Defense Pair 3: 21 SMITH, 6 JONES
Goalie: 43 BIRON
Back-up Goalie: 30 NIITTYMAKI

Injuries:
Washington – 17 CLARK (groin) DTD, 92 NYLANDER (shoulder) IR, 2 POTHIER (head) IR
Philadelphia – 3 RATHJE (hip/back) IR, 15 LUPUL (concussion) IR, 8 FITZPATRICK (sports hernia) IR

Caps Milestones:
Donald Brashear needs 2 Points to reach 200 for his career
Donald Brashear needs 3 PIM’s to reach 2,400 for his career
Viktor Kozlov needs 1 assists to reach 300 for his career
Viktor Kozlov needs 6 SOG to reach 2,000 for his career
Matt Pettinger needs 2 Points to reach 100 for his career

Preview:
The Capitals brought the entire team last night as the 1^st Line, 2^nd Line, and the defense scored in the 4-3 OT victory. They need to continue to get production from all sources as well as the special teams. The Caps have not scored a power play goal in the last 4 games with 10 attempts total. The Caps also gave up a 5-on-3 shorthanded goal. The special teams will be a major key going down the stretch. The Caps have the opportunity to take sole possession of first place in the Southeast Division with a victory tonight. Look for this to be a very physical, grinding game as both teams played last night. Look for the Caps to try and get an early lead and control the pace of the game. It’s time for the team to take the next step.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 5 PHI 3

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Game #54 Recap - Capitals 4 Blue Jackets 3 (OT)

Alex Ovechkin does it again! Another overtime, game-winning goal propelling the Caps past the Columbus Blue Jackets last night. This night, however, he did get a little more help from his friends as Alex Semin and Tom Poti scored goals. It was another come from behind win as the Caps gave up the first two goals of the game, including a 3-on-5 shorthanded goal to Rick Nash. But the story of the night is that the Caps needed 2 points in the standings and they got it. Now they head to Philly to face a Flyers team that is sporting an 8-2-0 record in their last 10.

Of Note:

• Donald Brashear played in his 900th career game, he celebrated by recording 2 hits, 1 takeaway, 1 shot attemt blocked, a +1 rating and knocking out some of Ole-Kristian Tollefsen's teeth (although he did get a high sticking penalty for it).
• Alex Ovechkin scored 2 goals to up his league leading total to 45. The game winner was the 20th of his career. The 2 points moves Alex into a tie with Sylvain Cote for 23rd on the Caps All-Time Scoring list.
• Alexander Semin had no penalties and 1 goal. Hmm, pattern?
• Brent Johnson stopped 28 of 31 shots he faced and had no help on the 2nd Rick Nash breakaway goal as the referee checked Shaone Morrisonn out of the play.

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Game #54 Washington Capitals at Columbus Blue Jackets

Where: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH

When: February 5, 2008, 7:00 PM

History:
Caps Record on this Date: 6-7-1-0
Caps Game 54 Record: 17-11-2-1
All-Time vs. CLB: 5-1-1-0
Last Season vs. CLB: Did not play
Last Meeting: 10/5/05, WAS 3 CLB 2

This Year:
WAS Record: 24-24-5
Standings Points: 53
Division Rank: 3^rd
Conference Rank: 12^th
Last Game: 2/2/08, WAS 0 ATL 2
Streak: Loss 1

CLB Record: 25-23-6
Standings Points: 56
Division Rank: 3^rd
Conference Rank: 11^th
Last Game: 2/2/08, CLB 1 MIN 4
Streak: Loss 3

Probable Line-Ups:
Washington
Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 14 FEHR
Forward Line 2: 28 SEMIN, 25 KOZLOV, 43 FLEISCHMANN
Forward Line 3: 53 LAING, 39 STECKEL, 10 BRADLEY
Forward Line 4: 87 BRASHEAR, 15 GORDON, 21 LAICH
Defense Pair 1: 26 MORRISONN, 52 GREEN
Defense Pair 2: 23 JURCINA, 55 SCHULTZ
Defense Pair 3: 4 ERSKINE, 3 POTI
Goalie: 37 KOLZIG
Back-up Goalie: 1 JOHNSON

Columbus
Forward Line 1: 61 NASH, 49 FRITSCHE, 13 ZHERDEV
Forward Line 2: 25 CHIMERA, 27 MALHOTRA, 9 VYBORNY
Forward Line 3: 51 MURRAY, 12 NOVOTNY, 40 BOLL
Forward Line 4: 16 BRASSARD, 19 PECA, 17 BRULE
Defense Pair 1: 52 FOOTE, 97 KLESLA
Defense Pair 2: 8 HEJDA, 6 HAINSEY
Defense Pair 3: 29 METHOT, 2 RUSSELL
Goalie: 31 LECLAIRE
Back-up Goalie: 30 NORRENA

Injuries:
Washington – 92 NYLANDER (shoulder) IR, 17 CLARK (groin) IR, 2 POTHIER (head) IR
Columbus – 33 MODIN (hamstring) IR, 91 FEDOROV (concussion) IR, 21 PICARD (knee) IR

Caps Milestones:
Donald Brashear will play his 900^th career game
Donald Brashear needs 2 Points to reach 200 for his career
Donald Brashear needs 5 PIM’s to reach 2,400 for his career
Viktor Kozlov needs 2 assists to reach 300 for his career
Viktor Kozlov needs 6 SOG to reach 2,000 for his career
Matt Pettinger needs 2 Points to reach 100 for his career
Matt Pettinger needs 1 SOG to reach 500 for his career

Preview:
The Capitals lack of secondary scoring has lead the recall of Eric Fehr from the Hershey Bears. Fehr was starting to show promise last season before suffering a back/hip ailment that took nearly a year to heal. The sniping forward will most likely take the right wing position on the first line alongside Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin. This will allow Viktor Kozlov to center the second line between Alexander Semin and Tomas Fleischmann. Kozlov’s play making ability should open up the ice for the second line. Look for the Caps to try and get the chemistry going early and force the pace of the game. It should be an entertaining game with some of the most dynamic scorers in the league on both sides of the ice.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 3 CLB 2

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Game #53 Recap - Capitals 0 Thrashers 2

The Caps couldn't find a way to put the puck in the net last night. They fired 36 shots at Atlanta goalie Kari Lehtonen without seeing a red light. Olie Kolzig stopped 11 of 12 shots he faced and Atlanta got an empty net goal to put the game away. The Caps need to get more secondary scoring if they intend to make a serious run to the playoffs. The defense along with the third and fourth lines need more of an offensive presence. David Steckel was the last 3rd or 4th line forward to score and that was in Game 43 against Colorado. John Erskine's goal in Game 47 was the last by a defensemen. The Caps next game is Tuesday in Columbus then Wednesday in Philly. The team needs to string some victories together as they have dropped to 3rd in the Southeast and Tampa and Florida are not far behind.

Of Note:

• The Caps held the Thrashers to 2 shots on goal in the first period and held a 36-13 overall edge.
• Matt Pettinger recored his 500th career shot on goal, however, he hasn't scored a goal since December 8th.
• Alex Ovehkin had 7 shots on goal giving him 1,107 in his career moving him past Dave Christian for 14th most in Caps History.
• Nicklas Backstrom went 13-8 in the face-off circle and has improved his face-off percentage to 47% on the season. The team had a 32-30 advantage on the night.
  
• For the third consecutive game the Caps failed to convert on the power play and have only 1 in their last 5.

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Game #53 Washington Capitals vs. Atlanta Thrashers

Where: Verizon Centre, Washington, DC

When: February 2, 2008, 7:00 PM

History:
Caps Record on this Date: 3-8-1-0
Caps Game 53 Record: 11-15-5-0
All-Time vs. ATL: 22-15-5-4
Last Season vs. ATL: 3-3-2
Last Meeting: 1/15/08, WAS 6 ATL 3

This Year:
WAS Record: 24-23-5
Standings Points: 53
Division Rank: 3^rd
Conference Rank: 12^th
Last Game: 1/31/08, WAS 5 MON 4 (OT)
Streak: Win 1

ATL Record: 25-25-5
Standings Points: 54
Division Rank: 2^nd
Conference Rank: 10^th
Last Game: 2/1/08, ATL 5 BUF 4
Streak: Won 2

Game 1: 10/5/07, WAS 3 ATL 1
Game 2: 11/6/07, WAS 1 ATL 2 (OT)
Game 3: 11/21/07, WAS 1 ATL 5
Game 4: 1/15/08, WAS 6 ATL 3

Probable Line-Ups:
Washington
Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 25 KOZLOV
Forward Line 2: 28 SEMIN, 15 GORDON, 43 FLEISCHMANN
Forward Line 3: 53 LAING, 39 STECKEL, 10 BRADLEY
Forward Line 4: 87 BRASHEAR, 21 LAICH, 18 PETTINGER
Defense Pair 1: 26 MORRISONN, 52 GREEN
Defense Pair 2: 23 JURCINA, 55 SCHULTZ
Defense Pair 3: 4 ERSKINE, 3 POTI
Goalie: 37 KOLZIG
Back-up Goalie: 1 JOHNSON

Atlanta
Forward Line 1: 13 KOZLOV, 16 HOLIK, 8 RECCHI
Forward Line 2: 17 KOVALCHUK, 11 PERRIN, 18 HOSSA
Forward Line 3: 9 DUPUIS, 12 WHITE, 27 THORBURN
Forward Line 4: 36 BOULTON, 23 SLATER, 21 STERLING
Defense Pair 1: 77 ZHITNIK, 22 KLEE
Defense Pair 2: 39 ENSTROM, 28 HAVELID
Defense Pair 3: 2 EXELBY, 7 POPOVICH
Goalie: 32 LEHTONEN
Back-up Goalie: 1 HEDBERG

Injuries:
Washington – 14 FEHR (hip) IR, 92 NYLANDER (shoulder) IR, 17 CLARK (groin) DTD, 2 POTHIER (head) IR
Atlanta – 20 RUCCHIN (concussion) IR, 17 KOVALCHUK (knee) DTD

Caps Milestones:
Viktor Kozlov needs 2 assists to reach 300 for his career
Matt Pettinger needs 2 Points to reach 100 for his career
Donald Brashear needs 2 Points to reach 200 for his career
Donald Brashear needs 5 PIM’s to reach 2,400 for his career
Chris Clark needs 1 SOG to reach 800 for his career
Matt Pettinger needs 1 SOG to reach 500 for his career

Preview:
Alex Ovechkin took over the last game against Montreal scoring 4 goals and adding an assist. His 4^th goal was the overtime winner. Now he gets to play the team he has had the most offensive success against in his career. In 20 games against Atlanta he has 16 goals and 16 assists. The Caps will need his scoring as the Thrashers moved into second place in the Southeast Division with a win in Buffalo last night. This is another must win game for the Caps (aren’t they all at this point). Look for the Caps to bring the physical play and pressure the Atlanta defense. They need to get scoring from more than the first line. For the Caps to start a true playoff run they need to string together some wins and especially against southeast Division foes. I see the Caps running away with this one.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 6 ATL 2

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Game #52 Recap - Capitals 5 Canadians 4 (OT)

It was the Alex Ovechkin show last night at Verizon Center. The Capitals Left Winger had 4 goal and an assist, including the game-winning goal in overtime, in the Caps 5-4 overtime victory. Ovechkin now leads the league in goals and points and is now on pace for 68 goals. The team did what it had to do in order to secure the 2-points in the standings. It took going to overtime following a Montreal game-tying goal with 29-seconds left in regulation time. It was a physical battle as the two teams dealt a total of 49 recorded hits in the game. In the end Ovechkin was the difference.

Of Note:

• The 4-goal 1-assist performance equaled the highest offensive output in his career. He accomplished the feat on Dec. 29th in Ottawa. Alex moves past Dmity Khristich into 14th place in All-Time Caps goal scorers list with 141 career goals, he ties Rick Green and Jeff Halpern for 29th on the Caps All-Time Assist list, and he ties Alan Haworth at 24th on the points list with 268. His 19th career game-winning goal ties him with Sergei Gonchar and Craig Laughlin at 14th on the Caps All-Time List. He also recorded his 1,100th shot on goal.
  
• The Caps out shot Montreal 38-21 and out drew the Canadians in face-offs 32-28.
• Victor Kozlov recored a 3-point night with a goal and 2 assists. Kozlov and Ovechkin were both +4 on the night.
  
• Mike Green had a 2-point night with assists on Ovechkin's final two goals.
• Other players recording assists were Milan Jurcina, Jeff Schultz, Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Poti.

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