Game #6 Preview: Washington Capitals vs. Boston Bruins

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When:  October 19, 2010 7:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 5-11-1-1

Caps Game 6 Record: 10-18-4-3

All-Time vs. BOS: 41-61-21-8

All-Time Home vs. BOS: 22-27-12-4

Last Season vs. BOS: 3-0-1

Last Meeting: 4/11/10, WAS 3 BOS 4 (OT-SO)

This Year:

WAS Record: 4-1-0

Standings Points: 8

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 2nd      

Last Game: 10/16/10, WAS 3 NAS 2 (OT)

Streak: Win 4

BOS Record: 2-1-0

Standings Points: 4

Division Rank: 3rd

Conference Rank: 9th    

Last Game: 10/16/10, BOS 4 NJ 1

Streak: Win 2

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

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

Forward Line 2: 21 LAICH, 14 FLEISCHMANN, 28 SEMIN

Forward Line 3: 25 CHIMERA, 90 JOHANSSON, 16 FEHR

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

Defense Pair 1: 55 SCHULTZ, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 2: 27 ALZNER, 3 POTI

Defense Pair 3: 89 SLOAN, 4 ERSKINE

Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Back-up Goalie: 1 VARLAMOV

Boston

Forward Line 1: 17 LUCIC, 46 KREJCI, 18 HORTON

Forward Line 2: 22 THORNTON, 11 CAMPBELL, 28 RECCHI

Forward Line 3: 20 PAILLE, 37 BERGERON, 73 RYDER

Forward Line 4: 19 SEGUIN, 63 MARCHAND, 26 WHEELER

Defense Pair 1: 44 SEIDENBERG, 33 CHARA

Defense Pair 2: 45 STUART, 55 BOYCHUK

Defense Pair 3: 21 FERENCE, 48 HUNWICK

Goalie: 30 THOMAS

Back-up Goalie: 40 RASK

Injuries:

Washington – 3 POTI (lower body) DTD, 10 BRADLEY (lower body) DTD, 52 GREEN (upper body) DTD

BOS – 9 SAVARD (concussion) IR, 42 WHITFIELD (Achilles) IR, 16 STURM (knee) IR

Caps Milestones:

Nicklas Backstrom needs 8 assists to reach 200 in his career.

Brooks Laich needs 6 points to reach 200 in his career.

Preview:

The Capitals take on the Boston Bruins in game #6. The team is looking to even out its erratic play and that begins at the start. In the last two games the Caps have left the first period trailing their opponents. Without the stellar play of goalie Micheal Nuevirth, they may have been out of these games before they could get in gear. Neuvirth has been a godsend, but the team would rather have him protecting a lead than bailing them out. Look for the top line of Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble to force the play in the Boston zone and keep the pressure off the injured d-corps. The Caps may get the services of Tom Poti back but John Carlson is banged up from blocking a shot in the Nashville game and Mike Green is doubtful. I think the Caps will start strong and take this game over early. It should be an entertaining game with lots of physicality.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 5 BOS 1

Official Preview