Where: Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
When: October 16, 2008, 7:30 PM
History:
Caps Record on this Date: 9-5-1-0
Caps Game 4 Record: 16-16-0-1
All-Time vs. PIT: 76-86-16-3
All-Time At PIT: 30-51-7-1
Last Season vs. PIT: 1-2-1
Last Meeting: 3/9/08, WAS 2 PIT 4
This Year:
WAS Record: 2-1-0
Standings Points: 4
Division Rank: 1st
Conference Rank: 3rd
Last Game: 10/13/08, WAS 5 VAN 1
Streak: Win 2
PIT Record: 2-1-1
Standings Points: 5
Division Rank: 2nd
Conference Rank: 4th
Last Game: 10/14/08, PIT 3 PHI 2 (OT)
Streak: Win 1
Probable Line-Ups:
Washington
Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 17 CLARK
Forward Line 2: 21 LAICH, 91 FEDOROV, 28 SEMIN
Forward Line 3: 14 FLEISCHMANN, NYLANDER, 14 FEHR
Forward Line 4: 87 BRASHEAR, 39 STECKEL / 15 GORDON, 10 BRADLEY
Defense Pair 1: 26 MORRISONN, 52 GREEN
Defense Pair 2: 4 ERSKINE, 3 POTI
Defense Pair 3: 55 SCHULTZ, 23 JURCINA
Goalie: 60 THEODORE
Back-up Goalie: 1 JOHNSON
Pittsburgh
Forward Line 1: 9 DUPUIS, 87 CROSBY, 81 SATAN
Forward Line 2: 11 STAAL, 71 MALKIN, 17 SYKORA
Forward Line 3: 26 FEDOTENKO, 25 TALBOT, 48 KENNEDY
Forward Line 4: 24 COOKE, 15 ZIGOMANIS, 28 GODARD
Defense Pair 1: 44 ORPIK, 58 LETANG
Defense Pair 2: 2 GILL, 4 SCUDERI
Defense Pair 3: 7 EATON, 13 GOLIGOSKI
Goalie: 29 FLEURY
Back-up Goalie: 30 SABOURIN
Injuries:
Washington – 2 POTHIER (concussion) IR, 25 KOZLOV (leg) DTD
Pittsburgh – 19 WHITNEY (foot) IR, 55 GONCHAR (shoulder) IR
Caps Milestones:
Sergei Fedorov will play in his 1,200th career NHL game.
Milan Jucina will in his 200th career NHL game.
Victor Kozlov needs 3 points to reach 500 in his career.
Matt Bradley needs 5 points to reach 100 in his career.
Michael Nylander needs 1 point to reach 100 with the Capitals.
Preview:
We must remember that the Capitals are still a very young team. And with that comes learning to handle some very high expectations. The Vancouver Canucks found out just how good the Caps can be when they are playing to their potential. The next test is in Pittsburgh against the Penguins. This will be the first playoff team from last season that the Caps have faced. Look for the Caps to pressure the Pens early and often. The Pens have already played 3 overtime games so the Caps cannot let them hang around. The Pens played Philly on Tuesday and seem to be having chemistry issues between their lines. The Caps need to exploit this weakness and attack as a team. As we saw Monday, the Caps are developing the killer instinct that all great teams have. This is an excellent opportunity to show just how far they have come. I think the top line of Ovechkin, Backstrom and Captain Chris Clark are primed for a big night.
Joe’s prediction: Caps 5 PIT 2
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